Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the Members' Schedule of NYSE Amex Options LLC In Order To Reflect Changes To the Capital Structure of the Company, 41318-41320 [2014-16499]
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41318
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 135 / Tuesday, July 15, 2014 / Notices
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–72573; File No. SR–
NYSEMKT–2014–54]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change Amending the Members’
Schedule of NYSE Amex Options LLC
In Order To Reflect Changes To the
Capital Structure of the Company
July 9, 2014.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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 July 1,
2014, 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 Exchange. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend the
Members’ Schedule (as defined in the
Amended and Restated Limited
Liability Company Agreement of NYSE
Amex Options LLC (the ‘‘Company’’)
dated as of May 14, 2014 (the ‘‘LLC
Agreement’’)) in order to reflect changes
to the capital structure of the Company
based on two transactions (such
amendment, the ‘‘Proposed Rule
Change’’). The first transaction involved
the issuance of Annual Incentive Shares
(as defined in the Members Agreement
(as defined below)) to the Founding
Firms (as defined below) consistent
with the formula set forth in Section 2.1
of that certain Amended and Restated
Members Agreement, dated as of May
14, 2014, by and among the Company,
NYSE MKT, NYSE Holdings LLC
(formerly known as NYSE Euronext)
(‘‘NYSE Holdings’’), NYSE Market (DE),
Inc. (formerly known as NYSE Market,
Inc.) (‘‘NYSE Market’’), Banc of America
Strategic Investments Corporation
(‘‘BAML’’), Barclays Electronic
Commerce Holdings Inc. (‘‘Barclays’’),
Citadel Securities LLC (‘‘Citadel’’),
Citigroup Financial Strategies, Inc.
(‘‘Citigroup’’), Goldman, Sachs & Co.
(‘‘Goldman Sachs’’), Datek Online
Management Corp. (‘‘TD Ameritrade’’)
and UBS Americas Inc. (‘‘UBS’’)
1 15
U.S.C.78s(b)(1).
U.S.C. 78a.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
2 15
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17:46 Jul 14, 2014
Jkt 232001
(collectively, excluding the Company,
NYSE MKT, NYSE Holdings and NYSE
Market, the ‘‘Founding Firms’’) (the
‘‘Members Agreement’’). The second
transaction will involve the transfer of
Interests (as defined in the LLC
Agreement) by the Founding Firms to
NYSE Market, an affiliate of the
Exchange, as soon as reasonably
practicable following June 18, 2014
pursuant to Article XI of the LLC
Agreement and Section 3.1 of the
Members Agreement. The text of the
proposed rule change is available on the
Exchange’s Web site at www.nyse.com,
at the principal office of the Exchange,
and at the Commission’s Public
Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
self-regulatory organization included
statements concerning the purpose of,
and basis for, the proposed rule change
and discussed any comments it received
on the proposed rule change. The text
of those statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below.
The Exchange has prepared summaries,
set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
of the most significant parts of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend the
Members’ Schedule as set forth herein.
The amendment reflects changes to the
capital structure of the Company due to
(i) the issuance of Annual Incentive
Shares to the Founding Firms effective
February 28, 2014 pursuant to Section
2.1 of the Members Agreement and (ii)
the transfer of Interests by the Founding
Firms to NYSE Market as soon as
reasonably practicable following June
18, 2014 pursuant to Article XI of the
LLC Agreement and Section 3.1 of the
Members Agreement.
Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares
Pursuant to Section 2.1 of the
Members Agreement, each year (until
2015, unless extended by the board of
directors of the Company) the Company
must issue a number of Class B
Common Interests (as defined in the
LLC Agreement) equal to thirty percent
(30%) of the then-outstanding Class B
Common Interests as Annual Incentive
Shares. These Annual Incentive Shares
are allocated among the Members (as
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
defined in the LLC Agreement) holding
Class B Common Interests (such
Members, the ‘‘Class B Members’’) based
on each Class B Member’s contribution
to the volume of the Exchange relative
to such Class B Member’s Individual
Target (as defined in the Members
Agreement). The Annual Incentive
Shares may change the relative
economic and voting rights among the
Class B Members but have no effect on
the relative economic and voting rights
as between Members holding Class A
Common Interests (as defined in the
LLC Agreement) and Class B Members.
Effective February 28, 2014, the
Company issued 16.1429 Annual
Incentive Shares in the aggregate to the
Founding Firms (the ‘‘Issuance of
Annual Incentive Shares’’). Two of the
Founding Firms did not achieve their
Individual Targets, which reduced the
two Founding Firms’ economic and
voting interests in the Company relative
to the other Founding Firms. The
Exchange proposes to amend the
Members’ Schedule as set forth in
Exhibit 5A attached hereto 4 (marked
against the Members’ Schedule in effect
prior to such issuance) to reflect the
Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares.
Founding Firm Transfer
Pursuant to Article XI of the LLC
Agreement and Section 3.1 of the
Members Agreement, a Member may
transfer Interests to a third party or to
another Member in accordance with the
conditions and limitations set forth
therein. The Exchange is filing this
Proposed Rule Change, in part, to
provide notice that the Founding Firms
collectively intend to transfer an
aggregate equity interest of 15.8400% in
the Company to NYSE Market, an
affiliate of the Exchange (the ‘‘Founding
Firm Transfer’’). Upon consummation of
the Founding Firm Transfer and the
acquisition by NYSE Market of the Class
B Common Interests transferred by the
Founding Firms, such Class B Common
Interests will automatically convert into
an appropriate number of Class A
Common Interests. Immediately
following the Founding Firm Transfer,
NYSE MKT will own an equity interest
of 47.2000% in the Company, NYSE
Market will own an equity interest of
36.8000%, and the Founding Firms,
collectively, will own the remaining
equity interest of 16.0000%. The
Exchange proposes, upon
consummation of the Founding Firm
Transfer, to amend the Members’
Schedule as set forth in Exhibit 5B
4 The Commission notes that Exhibit 5A is
attached to the filing, not to this Notice.
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 135 / Tuesday, July 15, 2014 / Notices
attached hereto 5 (marked against the
Members’ Schedule following the
Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares) to
reflect the Founding Firm Transfer.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
2. Statutory Basis
The Proposed Rule Change is
consistent with Section 6(b) 6 of the
Act,7 in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(1) 8 of the Act,
which requires a national securities
exchange to be so organized and have
the capacity to carry out the purposes of
the Act and to comply, and to enforce
compliance by its members and persons
associated with its members, with the
provisions of the Act, the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder and
the rules of the Exchange. The Proposed
Rule Change does not modify the
Company’s trading or compliance rules
and preserves the existing mechanisms
for ensuring the Exchange’s and the
Company’s compliance with the Act,
the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder and the rules of the
Exchange. The Proposed Rule Change
also preserves the structure of the joint
venture which retains NYSE MKT’s
regulatory control over the Company
and the provisions specifically designed
to ensure the independence of its selfregulatory function and to ensure that
any regulatory determinations by NYSE
MKT, as the Company’s SRO, are
controlling with respect to the actions
and decisions of the Company.
Additionally, the Proposed Rule
Change continues to require the
Company, its Members and its directors
to comply with the federal securities
laws and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder and to engage
in conduct that fosters and does not
interfere with the Exchange’s or the
Company’s ability to carry out its
respective responsibilities under the
Act.
The Proposed Rule Change is also
consistent with, and furthers the
objectives of, Section 6(b)(5) 9 of the Act,
in that it preserves all of NYSE MKT’s
existing rules and mechanisms to
prevent fraudulent and manipulative
acts and practices, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to foster
cooperation and coordination with
persons engaged in facilitating
transactions in securities, to remove
impediments to and perfect the
mechanisms of a free and open market
and a national market system and, in
5 The Commission notes that Exhibit 5B is
attached to the filing, not to this Notice.
6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
7 15 U.S.C. 78.
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:46 Jul 14, 2014
Jkt 232001
general, to protect investors and the
public interest.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the Proposed Rule Change will have any
impact on competition. The Proposed
Rule Change solely relates to changes in
the relative equity interests among
existing Members of the Company
pursuant to provisions of the LLC
Agreement and Members Agreement
that have been previously filed and
approved by the Commission. In
addition, neither the Issuance of Annual
Incentive Shares nor the Founding Firm
Transfer implicates the Commission’s
policies with respect to permissible
ownership. Furthermore, because the
Proposed Rule Change does not affect
the availability or pricing of any goods
or services, the Proposed Rule Change
will not affect competition either
between the Exchange and others that
provide the same goods and services as
the Exchange or among market
participants.
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 10 and Rule
19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.11 Because the
proposed rule change does not: (i)
Significantly affect the protection of
investors or the public interest; (ii)
impose any significant burden on
competition; and (iii) become operative
prior to 30 days from the date on which
it was filed, or such shorter time as the
Commission may designate, if
consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest, the
proposed rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)
of the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)
thereunder.
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) requires the Exchange to give the
Commission written notice of the Exchange’s intent
to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief
description and text of the proposed rule change,
at least five business days prior to the date of filing
of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time
as designated by the Commission. The Exchange
has satisfied this requirement.
PO 00000
10 15
11 17
Frm 00074
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
41319
A proposed rule change filed under
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 12 normally does not
become operative prior to 30 days after
the date of the filing. However, pursuant
to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),13 the
Commission may designate a shorter
time if such action is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public
interest. The Exchange has asked the
Commission to waive the 30-day
operative delay so that the proposal may
become operative immediately upon
filing. The Exchange stated that an
immediate operative date is necessary to
permit the efficient consummation of
both the Issuance of Annual Incentive
Shares and the Founding Firm Transfer.
According to the Exchange,
accomplishing the Founding Firm
Transfer requires that the Members have
certainty as to the amount of Common
Interests owned by each, which in turn
requires timely consummation of the
Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares.
The Commission believes that waiving
the 30-day operative delay is consistent
with the protection of investors and the
public interest because such waiver
would allow the Company to
consummate the transactions described
in the filing in an efficient and
predictable manner. Accordingly, the
Commission hereby grants the
Exchange’s request and designates the
proposal operative upon filing.14
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of such proposed rule change, the
Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if
it appears to the Commission that such
action is necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of the Act.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–NYSEMKT–2014–54 on the
subject line.
12 17
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
14 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
operative delay, the Commission has considered the
proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition,
and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
13 17
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
15JYN1
41320
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 135 / Tuesday, July 15, 2014 / Notices
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NYSEMKT–2014–54. This
file number should be included on the
subject line if email is used. To help the
Commission process and review your
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will
post all comments on the Commission’s
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
submission, all subsequent
amendments, all written statements
with respect to the proposed rule
change that are filed with the
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official
business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of the Exchange. All comments
received will be posted without change;
the Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
publicly available. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–
NYSEMKT–2014–54 and should be
submitted on or before August 5, 2014.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.15
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–16499 Filed 7–14–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
[Release No. 34–72582; File No. SR–ICEEU–
2014–11]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; ICE
Clear Europe Limited; Notice of Filing
of Proposed Rule Change Relating to
EMIR Requirements
July 10, 2014.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
15 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:46 Jul 14, 2014
Jkt 232001
(‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on July 7,
2014, ICE Clear Europe Limited (‘‘ICE
Clear Europe’’) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I, II and III
below, which Items have been prepared
primarily by ICE Clear Europe. 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 principal purpose of the
proposed changes is to amend the ICE
Clear Europe Procedures in order to
comply with requirements under the
European Market Infrastructure
Regulation (including regulations and
implementing technical standards
thereunder, ‘‘EMIR’’) 3 that will apply to
ICE Clear Europe as an authorized
central counterparty. ICE Clear Europe
has separately filed with the
Commission proposed changes to its
Clearing Rules (the ‘‘Rules’’) relating to
EMIR implementation and certain other
matters (the ‘‘Rule Submission’’).4
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, ICE
Clear Europe 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. ICE
Clear Europe has prepared summaries,
set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
of the most significant aspects of these
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
(1) Purpose
ICE Clear Europe submitted proposed
amendments to its Procedures in order
to comply with requirements under
EMIR that will apply to ICE Clear
Europe upon its authorization as a
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on
OTC derivatives, central counterparties and trade
repositories, as well as various implementing
regulations and technical standards.
4 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34–72540
(July 3, 2014), 79 FR 39429 (July 10, 2014) (SR–
ICEEU–2014–09).
PO 00000
1 15
2 17
Frm 00075
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
central counterparty and to further
implement the related changes made to
its Rules pursuant to the Rule
Submission. As described in more detail
in the Rule Submission, in order to
comply with EMIR, ICE Clear Europe is
adopting changes to the structure of
customer accounts for cleared
transactions to enhance segregation
options for customers of Clearing
Members. This includes the adoption of
an individual client segregation
framework (through Individually
Segregated Sponsored Accounts and
Individually Segregated Margin-flow
Co-mingled Accounts) for Non-FCM/BD
Clearing Members as well as certain
modifications relating to the existing,
omnibus client segregation model. The
amendments to the Procedures
described herein are intended to further
implement these changes, as well as
various other consolidating, conforming
and clarifying changes and drafting
improvements to the existing
Procedures.
As described in the Rule Submission,
the amendments to the Rules would
establish two new types of individually
segregated accounts, Individually
Segregated Margin-flow Co-mingled
Accounts and Individually Segregated
Sponsored Accounts. The proposed
Rules will also establish multiple new
types of omnibus accounts, Segregated
Customer Omnibus Accounts
(separately for each product: FX, F&O
and CDS) and Segregated TTFCA
Customer Omnibus Accounts
(separately for each product: FX, F&O
and CDS) as well as Omnibus Marginflow Co-mingled Accounts. These new
individually segregated and omnibus
accounts will be available only to NonFCM/BD Clearing Members and their
customers. For FCM/BD Clearing
Members and their customers,
individual client segregation is not
being offered at this time, and the
existing account types and segregation
framework (which are required under
applicable law) would be maintained.
ICE Clear Europe proposes to make
amendments to the following
Procedures: the Clearing Procedures,
Finance Procedures, Membership
Procedures, Business Continuity
Procedures, Complaint Resolution
Procedures, General Contract Terms,
CDS Procedures, FX Procedures, OTC
FX Product Guide and Published Terms
for FX Contracts, Auction Terms for FX
Default Auctions, Auction Terms for
F&O Default Auctions and Delivery
Procedures. The CDS Operational
Procedures are being eliminated as they
are no longer applicable.
The proposed Procedure amendments
are described in detail as follows.
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 135 (Tuesday, July 15, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41318-41320]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16499]
[[Page 41318]]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-72573; File No. SR-NYSEMKT-2014-54]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the Members'
Schedule of NYSE Amex Options LLC In Order To Reflect Changes To the
Capital Structure of the Company
July 9, 2014.
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 July 1, 2014, 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 Exchange. The Commission
is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C.78s(b)(1).
\2\ 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 amend the Members' Schedule (as defined in
the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of NYSE
Amex Options LLC (the ``Company'') dated as of May 14, 2014 (the ``LLC
Agreement'')) in order to reflect changes to the capital structure of
the Company based on two transactions (such amendment, the ``Proposed
Rule Change''). The first transaction involved the issuance of Annual
Incentive Shares (as defined in the Members Agreement (as defined
below)) to the Founding Firms (as defined below) consistent with the
formula set forth in Section 2.1 of that certain Amended and Restated
Members Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among the Company,
NYSE MKT, NYSE Holdings LLC (formerly known as NYSE Euronext) (``NYSE
Holdings''), NYSE Market (DE), Inc. (formerly known as NYSE Market,
Inc.) (``NYSE Market''), Banc of America Strategic Investments
Corporation (``BAML''), Barclays Electronic Commerce Holdings Inc.
(``Barclays''), Citadel Securities LLC (``Citadel''), Citigroup
Financial Strategies, Inc. (``Citigroup''), Goldman, Sachs & Co.
(``Goldman Sachs''), Datek Online Management Corp. (``TD Ameritrade'')
and UBS Americas Inc. (``UBS'') (collectively, excluding the Company,
NYSE MKT, NYSE Holdings and NYSE Market, the ``Founding Firms'') (the
``Members Agreement''). The second transaction will involve the
transfer of Interests (as defined in the LLC Agreement) by the Founding
Firms to NYSE Market, an affiliate of the Exchange, as soon as
reasonably practicable following June 18, 2014 pursuant to Article XI
of the LLC Agreement and Section 3.1 of the Members Agreement. The text
of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at
www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the
Commission's Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization
included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the
proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared
summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most
significant parts of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend the Members' Schedule as set forth
herein. The amendment reflects changes to the capital structure of the
Company due to (i) the issuance of Annual Incentive Shares to the
Founding Firms effective February 28, 2014 pursuant to Section 2.1 of
the Members Agreement and (ii) the transfer of Interests by the
Founding Firms to NYSE Market as soon as reasonably practicable
following June 18, 2014 pursuant to Article XI of the LLC Agreement and
Section 3.1 of the Members Agreement.
Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares
Pursuant to Section 2.1 of the Members Agreement, each year (until
2015, unless extended by the board of directors of the Company) the
Company must issue a number of Class B Common Interests (as defined in
the LLC Agreement) equal to thirty percent (30%) of the then-
outstanding Class B Common Interests as Annual Incentive Shares. These
Annual Incentive Shares are allocated among the Members (as defined in
the LLC Agreement) holding Class B Common Interests (such Members, the
``Class B Members'') based on each Class B Member's contribution to the
volume of the Exchange relative to such Class B Member's Individual
Target (as defined in the Members Agreement). The Annual Incentive
Shares may change the relative economic and voting rights among the
Class B Members but have no effect on the relative economic and voting
rights as between Members holding Class A Common Interests (as defined
in the LLC Agreement) and Class B Members.
Effective February 28, 2014, the Company issued 16.1429 Annual
Incentive Shares in the aggregate to the Founding Firms (the ``Issuance
of Annual Incentive Shares''). Two of the Founding Firms did not
achieve their Individual Targets, which reduced the two Founding Firms'
economic and voting interests in the Company relative to the other
Founding Firms. The Exchange proposes to amend the Members' Schedule as
set forth in Exhibit 5A attached hereto \4\ (marked against the
Members' Schedule in effect prior to such issuance) to reflect the
Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ The Commission notes that Exhibit 5A is attached to the
filing, not to this Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Founding Firm Transfer
Pursuant to Article XI of the LLC Agreement and Section 3.1 of the
Members Agreement, a Member may transfer Interests to a third party or
to another Member in accordance with the conditions and limitations set
forth therein. The Exchange is filing this Proposed Rule Change, in
part, to provide notice that the Founding Firms collectively intend to
transfer an aggregate equity interest of 15.8400% in the Company to
NYSE Market, an affiliate of the Exchange (the ``Founding Firm
Transfer''). Upon consummation of the Founding Firm Transfer and the
acquisition by NYSE Market of the Class B Common Interests transferred
by the Founding Firms, such Class B Common Interests will automatically
convert into an appropriate number of Class A Common Interests.
Immediately following the Founding Firm Transfer, NYSE MKT will own an
equity interest of 47.2000% in the Company, NYSE Market will own an
equity interest of 36.8000%, and the Founding Firms, collectively, will
own the remaining equity interest of 16.0000%. The Exchange proposes,
upon consummation of the Founding Firm Transfer, to amend the Members'
Schedule as set forth in Exhibit 5B
[[Page 41319]]
attached hereto \5\ (marked against the Members' Schedule following the
Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares) to reflect the Founding Firm
Transfer.
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\5\ The Commission notes that Exhibit 5B is attached to the
filing, not to this Notice.
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2. Statutory Basis
The Proposed Rule Change is consistent with Section 6(b) \6\ of the
Act,\7\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(1) \8\
of the Act, which requires a national securities exchange to be so
organized and have the capacity to carry out the purposes of the Act
and to comply, and to enforce compliance by its members and persons
associated with its members, with the provisions of the Act, the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder and the rules of the Exchange.
The Proposed Rule Change does not modify the Company's trading or
compliance rules and preserves the existing mechanisms for ensuring the
Exchange's and the Company's compliance with the Act, the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder and the rules of the Exchange. The
Proposed Rule Change also preserves the structure of the joint venture
which retains NYSE MKT's regulatory control over the Company and the
provisions specifically designed to ensure the independence of its
self-regulatory function and to ensure that any regulatory
determinations by NYSE MKT, as the Company's SRO, are controlling with
respect to the actions and decisions of the Company.
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\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78.
\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
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Additionally, the Proposed Rule Change continues to require the
Company, its Members and its directors to comply with the federal
securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
and to engage in conduct that fosters and does not interfere with the
Exchange's or the Company's ability to carry out its respective
responsibilities under the Act.
The Proposed Rule Change is also consistent with, and furthers the
objectives of, Section 6(b)(5) \9\ of the Act, in that it preserves all
of NYSE MKT's existing rules and mechanisms to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with
persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove
impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and
a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the
public interest.
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\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the Proposed Rule Change will
have any impact on competition. The Proposed Rule Change solely relates
to changes in the relative equity interests among existing Members of
the Company pursuant to provisions of the LLC Agreement and Members
Agreement that have been previously filed and approved by the
Commission. In addition, neither the Issuance of Annual Incentive
Shares nor the Founding Firm Transfer implicates the Commission's
policies with respect to permissible ownership. Furthermore, because
the Proposed Rule Change does not affect the availability or pricing of
any goods or services, the Proposed Rule Change will not affect
competition either between the Exchange and others that provide the
same goods and services as the Exchange or among market participants.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the
Proposed Rule Change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \10\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\11\
Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the
protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative prior to
30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as
the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.
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\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the
Exchange's intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a
brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The
Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \12\ normally
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\13\ the Commission
may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked
the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal
may become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange stated that
an immediate operative date is necessary to permit the efficient
consummation of both the Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares and the
Founding Firm Transfer. According to the Exchange, accomplishing the
Founding Firm Transfer requires that the Members have certainty as to
the amount of Common Interests owned by each, which in turn requires
timely consummation of the Issuance of Annual Incentive Shares. The
Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest
because such waiver would allow the Company to consummate the
transactions described in the filing in an efficient and predictable
manner. Accordingly, the Commission hereby grants the Exchange's
request and designates the proposal operative upon filing.\14\
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\12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\14\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File Number SR-NYSEMKT-2014-54 on the subject line.
[[Page 41320]]
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEMKT-2014-54. This
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should
submit only information that you wish to make publicly available. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEMKT-2014-54 and should
be submitted on or before August 5, 2014.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\15\
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\15\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-16499 Filed 7-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P