Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fee Schedule, 53808-53811 [2014-21521]

Download as PDF 53808 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 175 / Wednesday, September 10, 2014 / Notices available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BX– 2014–044 and should be submitted on or before October 1, 2014. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.17 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2014–21528 Filed 9–9–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–72987; File No. SR– NASDAQ–2014–020] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Designation of a Longer Period for Commission Action on Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change Relating To Listing and Trading of Exchange-Traded Managed Fund Shares September 4, 2014. On February 26, 2014, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to adopt Nasdaq Rule 5745, which would govern the listing and trading of Exchange-Traded Managed Fund Shares (‘‘ETMF Shares’’), and to amend related references under Nasdaq Rules 4120, 5615, IM–5615–4, and 5940. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on March 12, 2014.3 The Commission received four comment letters on the proposal.4 On April 23, 2014, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,5 the Commission designated a longer period within which to either approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to determine whether to 17 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71657 (Mar. 6, 2014), 79 FR 14092. 4 See Letters to the Commission from Christopher Davis, President, Money Management Institute, dated March 27, 2014; Robert Tull, President, Robert Tull & Co., dated March 31, 2014; Avi Nachmany, Co-Founder, Director of Research, E.V.P, Strategic Insight, dated April 1, 2014; and Eric Noll, President and Chief Executive Officer, ConvergEx Group, LLC, dated April 1, 2014. 5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 1 15 VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:04 Sep 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 disapprove the proposed rule change.6 On June 9, 2014, the Commission instituted proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act 7 to determine whether to approve or disapprove the proposed rule change.8 In response to the Order Instituting Proceedings, the Commission received one additional comment letter on the proposal.9 Section 19(b)(2) of the Act 10 provides that, after initiating disapproval proceedings, the Commission shall issue an order approving or disapproving the proposed rule change not later than 180 days after the date of publication of notice of filing of the proposed rule change. The Commission may extend the period for issuing an order approving or disapproving the proposed rule change, however, by not more than 60 days if the Commission determines that a longer period is appropriate and publishes the reasons for such determination. The proposed rule change was published for notice and comment in the Federal Register on March 12, 2014.11 The 180th day after publication of the notice of the filing of the proposed rule change in the Federal Register is September 8, 2014, and the 240th day after publication of the notice of the filing of the proposed rule change in the Federal Register is November 7, 2014. The Commission finds it appropriate to designate a longer period within which to issue an order approving or disapproving the proposed rule change so that it has sufficient time to consider the proposed rule change, including the matters raised in the comment letters to the proposed rule change. Accordingly, the Commission, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72007, 79 FR 24045 (Apr. 29, 2014). The Commission determined that it was appropriate to designate a longer period within which to take action on the proposed rule change so that it had sufficient time to consider the proposed rule change. Accordingly, the Commission designated June 10, 2014 as the date by which it should approve, disapprove, or institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule change. 7 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). 8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72350, 79 FR 33959 (Jun. 13, 2014) (‘‘Order Instituting Proceedings’’). Specifically, the Commission instituted proceedings to allow for additional analysis of the proposed rule change’s consistency with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be ‘‘designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade,’’ and ‘‘to protect investors and the public interest.’’ See id. 9 See Letter to the Commission from Thomas E. Faust, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Eaton Vance Corporation, dated July 3, 2014. 10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 11 See supra note 3 and accompanying text. PO 00000 Frm 00125 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Act,12 designates November 7, 2014 as the date by which the Commission shall either approve or disapprove the proposed rule change (File No. SR– NASDAQ–2014–020). For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.13 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2014–21520 Filed 9–9–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–72988; File No. SR–MIAX– 2014–46] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fee Schedule September 4, 2014. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on August 25, 2014, Miami International Securities Exchange LLC (‘‘MIAX’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III 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 is filing a proposal to amend its Fee Schedule. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https://www.miaxoptions.com/filter/ wotitle/rule_filing, at MIAX’s principal office, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these 12 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). CFR 200.30–3(a)(57). 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 13 17 E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM 10SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 175 / Wednesday, September 10, 2014 / Notices statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects 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 amend its Fee Schedule to: (i) Amend the MIAX Market Maker sliding scale to change the volume threshold calculations from aggregate numbers to percentages of total national Market Maker volume; (ii) increase the transaction fees for MIAX Market Makers, Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member BrokerDealers, and Firms by $0.02 per contract; and (iii) provide for additional incentives for achieving certain Priority Customer Rebate Program volume tiers. The proposed changes are based on the similar fees of another competing options exchange.3 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Volume Tiers The Exchange proposes to amend the MIAX Market Maker sliding scale to change the volume threshold calculations from aggregate numbers to percentages of total national Market Maker volume of any options classes with traded volume on MIAX during the calendar month. The Exchange notes that the sliding fee scale for MIAX Market Makers structured on contract volume thresholds is based on the substantially similar fees of the CBOE.4 By amending the volume tier calculations, the sliding scale will more closely align with that of CBOE, which also currently uses a substantially similar volume threshold calculation based on percentages of total national Market Maker volume of any options classes that trade on the exchange during the calendar month. The Market Maker sliding scale will continue to apply to MIAX Market Maker (RMM, LMM, DLMM, PLMM, DPLMM) transaction fees in all products except mini-options. MIAX Market Makers will continue to be assessed a $0.02 per 3 See NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC Pricing Schedule, Section II. See also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 71716 (March 13, 2014), 79 FR 71716 (March 19, 2014) (SR–PHLX–2014–14); 72395 (June 16, 2014), 79 FR 35391 (SR–PHLX– 2014–38). 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 55193 (January 30, 2007), 72 FR 5476 (February 6, 2007) (SR–CBOE–2006–111); 58321 (August 6, 2008), 73 FR 46955 (SR–CBOE–2008–78); 71295 (January 14, 2014), 79 FR 3443 (January 21, 2014) (SR–CBOE– 2013–129). VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:04 Sep 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 executed contract fee for transactions in mini-options. The Exchange believes the proposed sliding scale is objective in that the fee reductions are based solely on reaching stated volume thresholds. The specific volume thresholds of the tiers were set based upon business determinations and an analysis of current volume levels. The specific volume thresholds and rates were set in order to encourage MIAX Market Makers to reach for higher tiers. The Exchange believes that the proposed changes to the tiered fee schedule may incent firms to display their orders on the Exchange and increase the volume of contracts traded here. Options Transaction Fees The Exchange proposes to increase the transaction fees for MIAX Market Makers, Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, and Firms by $0.02 per contract. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to increase transaction fees for each of the volume tiers for MIAX Market Makers by $0.02. The Exchange will also increase the transaction fees for Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer and Firms from $0.25 to $0.27 per contract. Further, the Exchange will increase the transaction fees for NonMIAX Market Makers and Non-Member Broker-Dealers from $0.45 to $0.47. The Exchange believes that these fee increases will permit the Exchange to incentivize market participants by offering other incentives to lower prices as described herein. Priority Customer Rebate Incentives The Exchange proposes to offer MIAX Market Makers, Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member BrokerDealers, and Firms the opportunity to reduce transaction fees by $0.02 per contract in standard options if the Member or its affiliates of at least 75% common ownership between the firms as reflected on each firm’s Form BD, Schedule A, qualifies in a given month for Priority Customer Rebate Program volume tiers 3, 4, or 5 in the Fee Schedule.5 Specifically, any Member or its affiliates of at least 75% common ownership between the firms as reflected on each firm’s Form BD, Schedule A, that qualifies for Priority Customer Rebate Program volume tiers 3, 4, or 5 and is a MIAX Market Maker will be assessed $0.15 per contract for tier 1, $0.10 per contract for tier 2, $0.05 5 See MIAX Options Fee Schedule, Section 1)a)iii). PO 00000 Frm 00126 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 53809 per contract for tier 3, and $0.03 per contract for tier 4 for transactions in standard options in lieu of the applicable transaction fees in the Market Maker sliding scale. In addition, any Member or its affiliates of at least 75% common ownership between the firms as reflected on each firm’s Form BD, Schedule A, that qualifies for Priority Customer Rebate Program volume tiers 3, 4, or 5 and is a Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer or Firm will be assessed $0.25 per contract for standard options. Further, any Member or its affiliates of at least 75% common ownership between the firms as reflected on each firm’s Form BD, Schedule A, that qualifies for Priority Customer Rebate Program volume tiers 3, 4, or 5 and is a Non-MIAX Market Makers or Non-Member Broker-Dealers will be assessed $0.45 per contract for standard options. The Exchange believes that these incentives will encourage MIAX Market Makers, Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, and Firms to transact a greater number of orders on the Exchange. The Exchange proposes to implement the new transaction fees beginning September 1, 2014. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal to amend its fee schedule is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 6 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act 7 in particular, in that it is an equitable allocation of reasonable fees and other charges among Exchange members. The proposed changes to the volume calculations for the sliding scale are reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly discriminatory. The proposed volume discount fee structure is not discriminatory in that all MIAX Market Makers are eligible to submit (or not submit) liquidity, and may do so at their discretion in the daily volumes they choose during the course of the billing period. All similarly situated MIAX Market Makers are subject to the same fee structure, and access to the Exchange is offered on terms that are not unfairly discriminatory. Volume based discounts have been widely adopted by options and equities markets, and are equitable because they are open to all MIAX Market Makers on an equal basis and provide discounts that are reasonably related to the value of an exchange’s market quality associated with higher volumes. The 6 15 7 15 E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(4). 10SEN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 53810 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 175 / Wednesday, September 10, 2014 / Notices proposed fee levels and volume thresholds are reasonably designed to be comparable to those of other options exchanges employing similar fee programs, and also to attract additional liquidity and order flow to the Exchange. The Exchange’s proposal to increase the transaction fees for MIAX Market Makers, Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, and Firms is reasonable because the Exchange’s fees will remain competitive with fees at other options exchanges.8 The Exchange’s proposal to increase the transaction fees for MIAX Market Makers, Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, and Firms is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because the increase applies equally to all such market participants. The Exchange does not assess Priority Customers transactions fees because Priority Customer order flow enhances liquidity on the Exchange for the benefit of all market participants. Priority Customer liquidity benefits all market participants by providing more trading opportunities, which attracts Market Makers and other market participants. An increase in the activity of these market participants in turn facilitates tighter spreads, which may cause an additional corresponding increase in order flow from other market participants. Market Makers are assessed lower transaction fees as compared to Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member BrokerDealers, and Firms because they have obligations to the market and regulatory requirements, which normally do not apply to other market participants.9 They have obligations to make continuous markets, engage in a course of dealings reasonably calculated to contribute to the maintenance of a fair and orderly market, and not make bids or offers or enter into transactions that are inconsistent with a course of dealings. In addition, charging nonmembers higher transaction fees is a common practice amongst exchanges because Members are subject to other fees and dues associated with their membership to the Exchange that do not apply to non-members. The proposed differentiation as between Priority Customers, Market Makers, and other market participants recognizes the differing contributions made to the 8 See NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC Pricing Schedule, Section II; NASDAQ Options Market LLC’s Pricing Schedule, Chapter XV. 9 See Exchange Rules 603 and 604. VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:04 Sep 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 liquidity and trading environment on the Exchange by these market participants. The Exchange’s proposal to offer MIAX Market Makers, Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, NonMIAX Market Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, and Firms the opportunity to reduce transaction fees by $0.02 per contract in standard options, provided certain criteria are met, is reasonable because the Exchange desires to offer all such market participants an opportunity to lower their transaction fees. The Exchange’s proposal to offer MIAX Market Makers, Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, and Firms the opportunity to reduce transaction fees by $0.02 per contract in standard options, provided certain criteria are met, is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because the Exchange will offer all market participants, excluding Priority Customers, a means to reduce transaction fees by qualifying for volume tiers in the Priority Customer Rebate Program. The Exchange believes that offering all such market participants the opportunity to lower transaction fees by incentivizing them to transact Priority Customer order flow in turn benefits all market participants. The Exchange believes that the proposal to allow the aggregation of trading activity of separate Members or its affiliates for purposes of the fee reduction is fair, equitable and not unreasonably discriminatory. The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is reasonable because it would allow aggregation of the trading activity of separate Members or its affiliates for purposes of the fee reduction only in very narrow circumstances, namely, where the firm is an affiliate, as defined herein. Furthermore, other exchanges, as well as MIAX, have rules that permit the aggregation of the trading activity of affiliated entities for the purposes of calculating and assessing certain fees. The Exchange believes that offering all such market participants the opportunity to lower transaction fees by incentivizing them to transact Priority Customer order flow in turn benefits all market participants. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposal is similar to the transaction fees found on other options exchanges; therefore, the Exchange believes the proposal is PO 00000 Frm 00127 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 consistent with robust competition by increasing the intermarket competition for order flow from market participants. To the extent that there is additional competitive burden on market participants without Priority Customer order flow, the Exchange believes that this is appropriate because the proposal should incent Members to direct additional order flow to the Exchange and thus provide additional liquidity that enhances the quality of its markets and increases the volume of contracts traded here. To the extent that this purpose is achieved, all the Exchange’s market participants should benefit from the improved market liquidity. Enhanced market quality and increased transaction volume that results from the anticipated increase in order flow directed to the Exchange will benefit all market participants and improve competition on the Exchange. The Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be excessive. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually adjust its fees to remain competitive with other exchanges and to attract order flow. The Exchange believes that the proposal reflects this competitive environment. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.10 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 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 to determine whether the proposed rule 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 10 15 E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). 10SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 175 / Wednesday, September 10, 2014 / Notices change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–72993; File No. SR– NASDAQ–2014–091] • 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– MIAX–2014–46 on the subject line. Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to SPY and DIA Options Paper Comments Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 2 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on September 2, 2014, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘NASDAQ’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by NASDAQ. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES All submissions should refer to File Number SR–MIAX–2014–46. 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 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–MIAX– 2014–46 and should be submitted on or before October 1, 2014. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.11 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2014–21521 Filed 9–9–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 11 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:04 Sep 09, 2014 Jkt 232001 September 4, 2014. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change NASDAQ is filing with the Commission a proposal to amend Chapter IV, Section 6 (Series of Options Contracts Open for Trading) of the rules of the NASDAQ Options Market (‘‘NOM’’) to allow $1 or greater strike price intervals for options on the SPDR® S&P 500® Exchange Traded Fund (‘‘SPY’’) and the SPDR® Dow Jones® Industrial Average Exchange Traded Fund (‘‘DIA’’).3 The text of the proposed rule change is available from NASDAQ’s Web site at https://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at NASDAQ’s principal office, 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, NASDAQ 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. NASDAQ has prepared summaries, set 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 S&P®, S&P 500®, Standard & Poor’s®, and SPDR® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s® Financial Services LLC. Dow Jones®, DJIASM, and Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM are registered trade and service marks of Dow Jones® Trademark Holdings LLC. 2 17 PO 00000 Frm 00128 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 53811 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 The purpose of this proposed rule change is to amend Chapter IV, Section 6 by modifying the interval setting regime for SPY and DIA options listed on the SPDR S&P 500 Exchange Traded Fund (‘‘ETF’’) and the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF, respectively, to allow $1 or greater strike price intervals.4 Through this filing, the Exchange intends to make SPY and DIA options more tailored and easier for investors and traders to use. The proposed rule change is based on the recent Commission approval of a proposal to amend Commentary.05 to NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’) Rule 1012 to allow SPY and DIA options to trade in $1 or greater increments.5 Under current Chapter IV, Supplementary Material .01 to Section 6, the interval of strike prices of series of options on ETFs is $1 or greater where the strike price is 200 or less and $5 or greater where the strike price is more than 200.6 The Proposal seeks to narrow those strike intervals to $1 apart for SPY and DIA options, in effect matching the interval for these products to ETF option strike prices at or below 200. The prices for SPY and DIA options [sic] are approaching the 200 price point. By the end of June 2014, for example, SPY was trading at more than $195 per share and DIA was trading at more than $168 per share.7 As the option strike prices continue to appreciate, investor and member demands to list additional SPY and DIA option series continue to increase. SPY is the most heavily traded and liquid exchange-traded product in the U.S., and SPY options represent 13% of the total option volume in the U.S. and 8% of the options volume on the Exchange. DIA options represent 12% of the options volume on the Exchange and less than 1% of the options volume in 4 The SPDR S&P 500 ETF is based on the broadbased S&P 500 Index, and the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF is based on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72949 (August 29, 2014) (SR–Phlx–2014–46) (approval order). 6 See Chapter IV, Supplementary Material .01(b) to Section 6. 7 On August 25, 2014, SPY traded and closed above $200 for the first time. The SPY closing price on August 25th was $200.20. E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM 10SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 175 (Wednesday, September 10, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53808-53811]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21521]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-72988; File No. SR-MIAX-2014-46]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities 
Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a 
Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fee Schedule

September 4, 2014.
    Pursuant to the provisions of Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice 
is hereby given that on August 25, 2014, Miami International Securities 
Exchange LLC (``MIAX'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (``Commission'') a proposed rule change as 
described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared 
by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange is filing a proposal to amend its Fee Schedule.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
Web site at https://www.miaxoptions.com/filter/wotitle/
rulefiling, at MIAX's principal office, and at the 
Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these

[[Page 53809]]

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 the 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend its Fee Schedule to: (i) Amend the 
MIAX Market Maker sliding scale to change the volume threshold 
calculations from aggregate numbers to percentages of total national 
Market Maker volume; (ii) increase the transaction fees for MIAX Market 
Makers, Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX 
Market Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, and Firms by $0.02 per 
contract; and (iii) provide for additional incentives for achieving 
certain Priority Customer Rebate Program volume tiers. The proposed 
changes are based on the similar fees of another competing options 
exchange.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC Pricing Schedule, Section II. See 
also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 71716 (March 13, 2014), 79 
FR 71716 (March 19, 2014) (SR-PHLX-2014-14); 72395 (June 16, 2014), 
79 FR 35391 (SR-PHLX-2014-38).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Volume Tiers
    The Exchange proposes to amend the MIAX Market Maker sliding scale 
to change the volume threshold calculations from aggregate numbers to 
percentages of total national Market Maker volume of any options 
classes with traded volume on MIAX during the calendar month. The 
Exchange notes that the sliding fee scale for MIAX Market Makers 
structured on contract volume thresholds is based on the substantially 
similar fees of the CBOE.\4\ By amending the volume tier calculations, 
the sliding scale will more closely align with that of CBOE, which also 
currently uses a substantially similar volume threshold calculation 
based on percentages of total national Market Maker volume of any 
options classes that trade on the exchange during the calendar month. 
The Market Maker sliding scale will continue to apply to MIAX Market 
Maker (RMM, LMM, DLMM, PLMM, DPLMM) transaction fees in all products 
except mini-options. MIAX Market Makers will continue to be assessed a 
$0.02 per executed contract fee for transactions in mini-options.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 55193 (January 30, 
2007), 72 FR 5476 (February 6, 2007) (SR-CBOE-2006-111); 58321 
(August 6, 2008), 73 FR 46955 (SR-CBOE-2008-78); 71295 (January 14, 
2014), 79 FR 3443 (January 21, 2014) (SR-CBOE-2013-129).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes the proposed sliding scale is objective in 
that the fee reductions are based solely on reaching stated volume 
thresholds. The specific volume thresholds of the tiers were set based 
upon business determinations and an analysis of current volume levels. 
The specific volume thresholds and rates were set in order to encourage 
MIAX Market Makers to reach for higher tiers. The Exchange believes 
that the proposed changes to the tiered fee schedule may incent firms 
to display their orders on the Exchange and increase the volume of 
contracts traded here.
Options Transaction Fees
    The Exchange proposes to increase the transaction fees for MIAX 
Market Makers, Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-
MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, and Firms by $0.02 per 
contract. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to increase transaction 
fees for each of the volume tiers for MIAX Market Makers by $0.02. The 
Exchange will also increase the transaction fees for Public Customers 
that are not a Priority Customer and Firms from $0.25 to $0.27 per 
contract. Further, the Exchange will increase the transaction fees for 
Non-MIAX Market Makers and Non-Member Broker-Dealers from $0.45 to 
$0.47. The Exchange believes that these fee increases will permit the 
Exchange to incentivize market participants by offering other 
incentives to lower prices as described herein.
Priority Customer Rebate Incentives
    The Exchange proposes to offer MIAX Market Makers, Public Customers 
that are not a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member 
Broker-Dealers, and Firms the opportunity to reduce transaction fees by 
$0.02 per contract in standard options if the Member or its affiliates 
of at least 75% common ownership between the firms as reflected on each 
firm's Form BD, Schedule A, qualifies in a given month for Priority 
Customer Rebate Program volume tiers 3, 4, or 5 in the Fee Schedule.\5\ 
Specifically, any Member or its affiliates of at least 75% common 
ownership between the firms as reflected on each firm's Form BD, 
Schedule A, that qualifies for Priority Customer Rebate Program volume 
tiers 3, 4, or 5 and is a MIAX Market Maker will be assessed $0.15 per 
contract for tier 1, $0.10 per contract for tier 2, $0.05 per contract 
for tier 3, and $0.03 per contract for tier 4 for transactions in 
standard options in lieu of the applicable transaction fees in the 
Market Maker sliding scale. In addition, any Member or its affiliates 
of at least 75% common ownership between the firms as reflected on each 
firm's Form BD, Schedule A, that qualifies for Priority Customer Rebate 
Program volume tiers 3, 4, or 5 and is a Public Customers that are not 
a Priority Customer or Firm will be assessed $0.25 per contract for 
standard options. Further, any Member or its affiliates of at least 75% 
common ownership between the firms as reflected on each firm's Form BD, 
Schedule A, that qualifies for Priority Customer Rebate Program volume 
tiers 3, 4, or 5 and is a Non-MIAX Market Makers or Non-Member Broker-
Dealers will be assessed $0.45 per contract for standard options.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See MIAX Options Fee Schedule, Section 1)a)iii).
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    The Exchange believes that these incentives will encourage MIAX 
Market Makers, Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-
MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, and Firms to transact a 
greater number of orders on the Exchange.
    The Exchange proposes to implement the new transaction fees 
beginning September 1, 2014.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal to amend its fee schedule 
is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act \6\ in general, and furthers 
the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act \7\ in particular, in that 
it is an equitable allocation of reasonable fees and other charges 
among Exchange members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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    The proposed changes to the volume calculations for the sliding 
scale are reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly discriminatory. The 
proposed volume discount fee structure is not discriminatory in that 
all MIAX Market Makers are eligible to submit (or not submit) 
liquidity, and may do so at their discretion in the daily volumes they 
choose during the course of the billing period. All similarly situated 
MIAX Market Makers are subject to the same fee structure, and access to 
the Exchange is offered on terms that are not unfairly discriminatory. 
Volume based discounts have been widely adopted by options and equities 
markets, and are equitable because they are open to all MIAX Market 
Makers on an equal basis and provide discounts that are reasonably 
related to the value of an exchange's market quality associated with 
higher volumes. The

[[Page 53810]]

proposed fee levels and volume thresholds are reasonably designed to be 
comparable to those of other options exchanges employing similar fee 
programs, and also to attract additional liquidity and order flow to 
the Exchange.
    The Exchange's proposal to increase the transaction fees for MIAX 
Market Makers, Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-
MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, and Firms is reasonable 
because the Exchange's fees will remain competitive with fees at other 
options exchanges.\8\ The Exchange's proposal to increase the 
transaction fees for MIAX Market Makers, Public Customers that are not 
a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, 
and Firms is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because the 
increase applies equally to all such market participants. The Exchange 
does not assess Priority Customers transactions fees because Priority 
Customer order flow enhances liquidity on the Exchange for the benefit 
of all market participants. Priority Customer liquidity benefits all 
market participants by providing more trading opportunities, which 
attracts Market Makers and other market participants. An increase in 
the activity of these market participants in turn facilitates tighter 
spreads, which may cause an additional corresponding increase in order 
flow from other market participants. Market Makers are assessed lower 
transaction fees as compared to Public Customers that are not a 
Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, 
and Firms because they have obligations to the market and regulatory 
requirements, which normally do not apply to other market 
participants.\9\ They have obligations to make continuous markets, 
engage in a course of dealings reasonably calculated to contribute to 
the maintenance of a fair and orderly market, and not make bids or 
offers or enter into transactions that are inconsistent with a course 
of dealings. In addition, charging non-members higher transaction fees 
is a common practice amongst exchanges because Members are subject to 
other fees and dues associated with their membership to the Exchange 
that do not apply to non-members. The proposed differentiation as 
between Priority Customers, Market Makers, and other market 
participants recognizes the differing contributions made to the 
liquidity and trading environment on the Exchange by these market 
participants.
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    \8\ See NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC Pricing Schedule, Section II; NASDAQ 
Options Market LLC's Pricing Schedule, Chapter XV.
    \9\ See Exchange Rules 603 and 604.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange's proposal to offer MIAX Market Makers, Public 
Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market Makers, 
Non-Member Broker-Dealers, and Firms the opportunity to reduce 
transaction fees by $0.02 per contract in standard options, provided 
certain criteria are met, is reasonable because the Exchange desires to 
offer all such market participants an opportunity to lower their 
transaction fees. The Exchange's proposal to offer MIAX Market Makers, 
Public Customers that are not a Priority Customer, Non-MIAX Market 
Makers, Non-Member Broker-Dealers, and Firms the opportunity to reduce 
transaction fees by $0.02 per contract in standard options, provided 
certain criteria are met, is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory 
because the Exchange will offer all market participants, excluding 
Priority Customers, a means to reduce transaction fees by qualifying 
for volume tiers in the Priority Customer Rebate Program. The Exchange 
believes that offering all such market participants the opportunity to 
lower transaction fees by incentivizing them to transact Priority 
Customer order flow in turn benefits all market participants.
    The Exchange believes that the proposal to allow the aggregation of 
trading activity of separate Members or its affiliates for purposes of 
the fee reduction is fair, equitable and not unreasonably 
discriminatory. The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is 
reasonable because it would allow aggregation of the trading activity 
of separate Members or its affiliates for purposes of the fee reduction 
only in very narrow circumstances, namely, where the firm is an 
affiliate, as defined herein. Furthermore, other exchanges, as well as 
MIAX, have rules that permit the aggregation of the trading activity of 
affiliated entities for the purposes of calculating and assessing 
certain fees. The Exchange believes that offering all such market 
participants the opportunity to lower transaction fees by incentivizing 
them to transact Priority Customer order flow in turn benefits all 
market participants.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposal is similar to the 
transaction fees found on other options exchanges; therefore, the 
Exchange believes the proposal is consistent with robust competition by 
increasing the intermarket competition for order flow from market 
participants. To the extent that there is additional competitive burden 
on market participants without Priority Customer order flow, the 
Exchange believes that this is appropriate because the proposal should 
incent Members to direct additional order flow to the Exchange and thus 
provide additional liquidity that enhances the quality of its markets 
and increases the volume of contracts traded here. To the extent that 
this purpose is achieved, all the Exchange's market participants should 
benefit from the improved market liquidity. Enhanced market quality and 
increased transaction volume that results from the anticipated increase 
in order flow directed to the Exchange will benefit all market 
participants and improve competition on the Exchange. The Exchange 
notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market 
participants can readily favor competing venues if they deem fee levels 
at a particular venue to be excessive. In such an environment, the 
Exchange must continually adjust its fees to remain competitive with 
other exchanges and to attract order flow. The Exchange believes that 
the proposal reflects this competitive environment.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.\10\ At any time within 60 days of the 
filing of the 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 to determine whether the 
proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule

[[Page 53811]]

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-MIAX-2014-46 on the subject line.

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-MIAX-2014-46. 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 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-MIAX-2014-46 and should be 
submitted on or before October 1, 2014.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\11\
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    \11\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-21521 Filed 9-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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