Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 3, and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of Certain Funds of the Alpha Architect ETF Trust, 63198-63201 [2014-25081]
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63198
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 204 / Wednesday, October 22, 2014 / Notices
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 20549–1090, 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–2014–52 and should
be submitted on or before November 12,
2014.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.15
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–25148 Filed 10–21–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–73376; File No. SR–BATS–
2014–026]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS
Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of
Amendment No. 3, and Order Granting
Accelerated Approval of a Proposed
Rule Change To List and Trade Shares
of Certain Funds of the Alpha Architect
ETF Trust
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
October 16, 2014.
On July 3, 2014, BATS Exchange, Inc.
(‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BATS’’) 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
list and trade shares (‘‘Shares’’) of each
of the following funds: (1) ValueShares
U.S. Quantitative Value ETF; (2)
ValueShares International Quantitative
Value ETF; (3) MomentumShares U.S.
Quantitative Momentum ETF; and (4)
MomentumShares International
Quantitative Momentum ETF (each
referred to as the ‘‘Fund’’ and
collectively the ‘‘Funds’’). The proposed
15 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
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rule change was published for comment
in the Federal Register on July 23,
2014.3 On August 15, 2014, the
Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the
proposed rule change, which amended
and replaced the proposal in its entirety.
On August 26, 2014, the Exchange filed
Amendment No. 2 to the proposed rule
change, which also amended and
replaced the proposal in its entirety.
The Commission designated a longer
period for Commission action on
September 5, 2014.4 On September 12,
2014, the Exchange filed Amendment
No. 3 to the proposed rule change,
which again amended and replaced the
proposal in its entirety.5 No comments
on the proposal have been received.
This order approves the proposed rule
change, as modified by Amendment No.
3, on an accelerated basis.
I. Description of the Proposed Rule
Change
The Exchange proposes to list and
trade the Shares under BATS Rule
14.11(i), which governs the listing and
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72636
(July 17, 2014), 79 FR 42852.
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73003,
79 FR 54307 (September 11, 2014).
5 Amendment No. 3 modified the proposed rule
change by clarifying the holdings of the Funds,
clarifying the valuation of various assets for
purposes of calculating the net asset value (‘‘NAV’’)
of each Fund, providing more information regarding
the Share creation and redemption process, and
adding information regarding its surveillance
capability. With respect to the Funds’ holdings, the
Exchange specified: (1) That the common stock,
preferred stock, international stocks, and depositary
receipts that may be held by the Funds (as
applicable) will all be exchange-listed (except that
up to 10% the portfolios of the international Funds
may be composed of unsponsored depositary
receipts); (2) the types of fixed income securities
that may be held by each of the Funds; (3) that the
debt securities held by the ValueShares U.S.
Quantitative Value ETF and the MomentumShares
U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF would be
investment grade; (4) that the Funds would not
invest in private investment funds, vehicles or
structures; (5) that the 15% limit on illiquid assets
applicable to each Fund is an overarching
investment restriction; and (6) the depositary
receipts in which the ValueShares International
Quantitative Value ETF and MomentumShares
International Quantitative Momentum ETF
(collectively, ‘‘International Funds’’) may invest.
With respect to NAV calculation, the Exchange: (1)
Clarified the method for valuation of exchangelisted securities; (2) stated that non-exchange-listed
equity securities would be valued at their last
reported sale prices or, if no last reported sale price
is available, at the most recent bid price; and (3)
clarified that fixed income securities (with the
exception of repurchase agreements) would be
valued by pricing services. With respect to Share
creations and redemptions, the Exchange provided
additional information regarding the circumstances
in which a Fund may accept a custom fund deposit
in connection with Share creations as well as the
daily dissemination of the redemption basket.
Lastly, the Exchange stated that it is able to access,
as needed, trade information for certain fixed
income instruments reported to the Trade Reporting
and Compliance Engine (‘‘TRACE’’) of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority (‘‘FINRA’’).
PO 00000
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trading of Managed Fund Shares on the
Exchange. The Shares will be offered by
the Alpha Architect ETF Trust
(‘‘Trust’’), which was established as a
Delaware statutory trust and is
registered with the Commission as an
open-end investment company.6
Empowered Funds, LLC is the
investment adviser (‘‘Adviser’’) to the
Funds.7 The Adviser is not a registered
broker-dealer and is not affiliated with
any broker-dealers.8 U.S. Bancorp Fund
Services, LLC is the administrator and
transfer agent for the Trust. U.S. Bank
National Association is the custodian
for the Trust. Quasar Distributors, LLC
serves as the distributor for the Trust.9
A. ValueShares U.S. Quantitative Value
ETF
The investment objective of the Fund
is to provide long-term capital
appreciation. Under normal
circumstances,10 the Fund will invest at
6 The Trust and has filed a registration statement
on behalf of the Funds on Form N–1A
(‘‘Registration Statement’’) with the Commission.
See Registration Statement on Form N–1A for the
Trust, dated April 25, 2014 (File Nos. 333–195493
and 811–22961). The Commission has issued an
order granting certain exemptive relief to the Trust
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15
U.S.C. 80a–1) (‘‘1940 Act’’). See Investment
Company Act Release No. 31018 (April 16, 2014)
(File No. 812–14245).
7 The Adviser is an indirect subsidiary of
Empirical Finance, LLC d/b/a Empiritrage, LLC.
8 BATS Rule 14.11(i)(7) provides that, if the
investment adviser to the investment company
issuing Managed Fund Shares is affiliated with a
broker-dealer, the investment adviser shall erect a
firewall between the investment adviser and the
broker-dealer with respect to access to information
concerning the composition of or changes to the
investment company portfolio. In addition, Rule
14.11(i)(7) further requires that personnel who
make decisions on the investment company’s
portfolio composition must be subject to procedures
designed to prevent the misuse and dissemination
of material nonpublic information regarding the
applicable investment company portfolio. The
Exchange states that, in the event that (a) the
Adviser becomes registered as a broker-dealer or
newly affiliated with a broker-dealer, or (b) any new
adviser or sub-adviser is a registered broker-dealer
or becomes affiliated with a broker-dealer, it will
implement a firewall with respect to its relevant
personnel or such broker-dealer affiliate, as
applicable, regarding access to information
concerning the composition of or changes to the
portfolio, and will be subject to procedures
designed to prevent the use and dissemination of
material non-public information regarding the
portfolio.
9 Additional information regarding the Trust, the
Funds, the Shares, investment strategies,
investment restrictions, risks, NAV calculation,
creation and redemption procedures, fees, portfolio
holdings, disclosure policies, distributions, and
taxes, among other information, is included in
Amendment No. 3 and the Registration Statement,
as applicable. See Amendment No. 3 and
Registration Statement, supra note 5 and 6,
respectively.
10 The term ‘‘under normal circumstances’’
includes, but is not limited to, the absence of
adverse market, economic, political, or other
conditions, including extreme volatility or trading
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 204 / Wednesday, October 22, 2014 / Notices
least 80% of its net assets, plus any
borrowings for investment purposes, in
exchange-listed common stock of U.S.
companies.
Other Portfolio Holdings. The Fund
may invest in exchange-listed preferred
stocks. The Fund may enter into
repurchase agreements with banks and
broker-dealers. The Fund may invest in
debt securities by purchasing the
following: Obligations of the U.S.
government, its agencies and
instrumentalities; corporate debt
securities; master-demand notes; bank
certificates of deposit; time deposits;
bankers’ acceptances; commercial paper
and other notes; and inflation-indexed
securities. All debt securities held by
the Fund will be investment grade. The
Fund may also invest in the securities
of other investment companies
(including money market funds and
ETFs) to the extent permitted under the
1940 Act, Commission rules thereunder
and exemptions thereto.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
B. ValueShares International
Quantitative Value ETF
The investment objective of the Fund
is to provide long-term capital
appreciation. To achieve its objective,
under normal circumstances, the Fund
will invest at least 65%—but generally
greater than 80%—of its net assets, plus
any borrowings for investment
purposes, in equity securities of
international companies.11 Specifically,
the Fund may invest in exchange-listed
common stock of international
companies, American Depositary
Receipts, Global Depositary Receipts,
and European Depositary Receipts
(collectively, ‘‘Depositary Receipts’’).
Among the international stocks and
Depositary Receipts held by the Fund, at
least 90% of that part of the portfolio
will consist of securities that trade in
markets that are members of the
Intermarket Surveillance Group (‘‘ISG’’)
or are parties to a comprehensive
surveillance sharing agreement with the
Exchange.12
Other Portfolio Holdings. The Fund
may invest in exchange-listed preferred
stocks. The Fund may enter into
repurchase agreements with banks and
broker-dealers. The Fund may invest in
the following types of debt securities:
halts in the financial markets generally; operational
issues causing dissemination of inaccurate market
information; or force majeure type events such as
systems failure, natural or man-made disaster, act
of God, armed conflict, act of terrorism, riot, or
labor disruption, or any similar intervening
circumstance.
11 The Fund may invest in securities of
companies in any industry and of any market
capitalization.
12 For a list of the current members and affiliate
members of ISG, see www.isgportal.com.
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18:22 Oct 21, 2014
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Obligations of the U.S. government, its
agencies and instrumentalities;
corporate debt securities; masterdemand notes; bank certificates of
deposit; time deposits; bankers’
acceptances; commercial paper and
other notes; and inflation-indexed
securities. All debt securities held by
the Fund will be investment grade. The
Fund may also invest in the securities
of other investment companies
(including money market funds and
ETFs) to the extent permitted under the
1940 Act, Commission rules thereunder
and exemptions thereto.
C. MomentumShares U.S. Quantitative
Momentum ETF
The investment objective of the Fund
is to provide long-term capital
appreciation. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund will invest at
least 80% of its net assets, plus any
borrowings for investment purposes, in
exchange-listed common stock of U.S.
companies. The Fund may invest in
securities of companies in any industry
and of any market capitalization.
Other Portfolio Holdings. The Fund
may invest in exchange-listed preferred
stocks. The Fund may enter into
repurchase agreements with banks and
broker-dealers. The Fund may invest in
the following types of debt securities:
Obligations of the U.S. government, its
agencies and instrumentalities;
corporate debt securities; masterdemand notes; bank certificates of
deposit; time deposits; bankers’
acceptances; commercial paper and
other notes; and inflation-indexed
securities. All debt securities held by
the Fund will be investment grade. The
Fund may also invest in the securities
of other investment companies
(including money market funds and
ETFs) to the extent permitted under the
1940 Act, Commission rules thereunder
and exemptions thereto.
D. MomentumShares International
Quantitative Momentum ETF
The investment objective of the Fund
is to provide long-term capital
appreciation. To achieve its objective,
under normal circumstances, the Fund
will invest at least 65%—but generally
greater than 80%—of its net assets, plus
any borrowings for investment
purposes, in exchange-listed common
stock of international companies and
Depositary Receipts. The Fund may
invest in securities of companies in any
industry and of any market
capitalization. Among the international
stocks and Depositary Receipts held by
the Fund, at least 90% of that part of the
portfolio will consist of securities that
trade in markets that are members of the
PO 00000
Frm 00122
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
63199
ISG or are parties to a comprehensive
surveillance sharing agreement with the
Exchange.
Other Portfolio Holdings. The Fund
may invest in exchange-listed preferred
stocks. The Fund may enter into
repurchase agreements with banks and
broker-dealers. The Fund may invest in
the following types of debt securities:
Obligations of the U.S. government, its
agencies and instrumentalities;
corporate debt securities; masterdemand notes; bank certificates of
deposit; time deposits; bankers’
acceptances; commercial paper and
other notes; and inflation-indexed
securities. All debt securities held by
the Fund will be investment grade. The
Fund may also invest in the securities
of other investment companies
(including money market funds and
ETFs) to the extent permitted under the
1940 Act, Commission rules thereunder
and exemptions thereto.
II. Discussion
After careful review, the Commission
finds that the proposed rule change is
consistent with the requirements of
Section 6 of the Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to a
national securities exchange.13 In
particular, the Commission finds that
the proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, which
requires, among other things, that the
Exchange’s rules be designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, 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. The Commission also
finds that the proposal to list and trade
the Shares on the Exchange is consistent
with Section 11A(a)(1)(C)(iii) of the Act,
which sets forth Congress’s finding that
it is in the public interest and
appropriate for the protection of
investors and the maintenance of fair
and orderly markets to assure the
availability to brokers, dealers, and
investors of information with respect to
quotations for, and transactions in,
securities.
According to the Exchange, quotation
and last-sale information for the Shares
will be available on the facilities of the
Consolidated Tape Association, and the
previous day’s closing price and trading
volume information for the Shares will
be published daily in the financial
13 In approving this proposed rule change, the
Commission has considered the proposed rule’s
impact on efficiency, competition, and capital
formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 204 / Wednesday, October 22, 2014 / Notices
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
section of newspapers. Additionally,
information regarding market price and
trading of the Shares will be continually
available on a real-time basis throughout
the day on brokers’ computer screens
and other electronic services. The
Exchange states that intraday,
executable price quotations on U.S. and
non-U.S. securities as well as other
assets are available from major brokerdealer firms, and, for exchange-traded
assets, such intraday information is
available directly from the applicable
listing exchange. Further, the Exchange
states that intraday price information is
available through subscription services.
Pricing information for securities not
listed on an exchange or national
securities market and repurchase
agreements will be available from major
broker-dealer firms and from
subscription services, such as
Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters and
International Data Corporation.
In addition, the Intraday Indicative
Value, as defined in defined in BATS
Rule 14.11(i)(3)(C), will be widely
disseminated at least every 15 seconds
during the Exchange’s Regular Trading
Hours.14 On each business day, before
commencement of trading in Shares
during Regular Trading Hours on the
Exchange, the Funds will disclose the
identities and quantities of the portfolio
of securities and other assets held by
each Fund that will form the basis for
the Fund’s calculation of NAV at the
end of the business day (‘‘Disclosed
Portfolio’’).15 The NAV of each Fund
will be calculated each business day as
of the close of regular trading on the
New York Stock Exchange (normally
4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the
New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading. Portfolio composition files will
be sent via the National Securities
Clearing Corporation and made
available on each business day, prior to
the opening of business on the Exchange
(currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), and
will include a list of the names and the
required number of shares of each
security in the in-kind creation basket
(based on information about the Fund’s
portfolio at the end of the previous
business day) and a list of the names
and the number of shares of each
security in the in-kind redemption
basket. The Web site for the Funds will
14 Currently, it is the Exchange’s understanding
that several major market data vendors display or
make widely available Intraday Indicative Values
published via the CTA or other data feeds.
15 The Disclosed Portfolio will include, as
applicable, the names, quantity, percentage
weighting and market value of securities and other
assets held by the Fund and the characteristics of
such assets. The Funds will disseminate the
Disclosed Portfolios through their Web site at no
charge.
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18:22 Oct 21, 2014
Jkt 235001
include a form of the prospectus for the
Funds and additional data relating to
NAV and other applicable quantitative
information.
The Commission further believes that
the proposal to list and trade the Shares
is reasonably designed to promote fair
disclosure of information that may be
necessary to price the Shares
appropriately and to prevent trading
when a reasonable degree of
transparency cannot be assured. The
Commission notes that the Exchange
will obtain a representation from the
issuer of the Shares that the NAV per
Share of each Fund will be calculated
daily and that the NAV and the
Disclosed Portfolio will be made
available to all market participants at
the same time. In addition, trading in
the Shares would be subject to BATS
Rules 11.18 and 14.11(i)(4)(B)(iv), which
set forth circumstances under which
trading in the Shares may be halted.
Trading may be halted because of
market conditions or for reasons that, in
the view of the Exchange, make trading
in the Shares inadvisable. These may
include: (1) The extent to which trading
is not occurring in the securities or the
financial instruments composing the
Disclosed Portfolio of a Fund; or (2)
whether other unusual conditions or
circumstances detrimental to the
maintenance of a fair and orderly
market are present. Further, the
Commission notes that the Reporting
Authority that provides the Disclosed
Portfolio of each Fund must implement
and maintain, or be subject to,
procedures designed to prevent the use
and dissemination of material, nonpublic information regarding the actual
components of the portfolio.16 In
addition, the Exchange may obtain
information regarding trading in the
Shares and the underlying shares of
exchange-listed equity securities via the
ISG, from other exchanges that are
members or affiliates of the ISG, or with
which the Exchange has entered into a
comprehensive surveillance sharing
agreement. The Commission also notes
that the Exchange is able to access, as
needed, trade information for certain
fixed income securities held by the
Funds reported to TRACE. The
Exchange represents that it prohibits the
distribution of material non-public
information by its employees. The
Exchange represents that the Adviser is
not a registered broker-dealer and is not
affiliated with any broker-dealers. The
Exchange represents that, in the event
that (a) the Adviser becomes registered
as a broker-dealer or newly affiliated
with a broker-dealer, or (b) any new
16 See
PO 00000
BATS Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(ii)(b).
Frm 00123
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
adviser or sub-adviser is a registered
broker-dealer or becomes affiliated with
a broker-dealer, it will implement a fire
wall with respect to its relevant
personnel or such broker-dealer affiliate,
as applicable, regarding access to
information concerning the composition
of or changes to the portfolio, and will
be subject to procedures designed to
prevent the use and dissemination of
material non-public information
regarding such portfolio.
The Exchange deems the Shares to be
equity securities, thus rendering trading
in the Shares subject to the Exchange’s
existing rules governing the trading of
equity securities. The Commission notes
that the Funds and the Shares must
comply with the requirements of BATS
Rule 14.11(i) for the Shares to be listed
and traded on the Exchange.
Additionally, in support of its
proposal, the Exchange has made the
following representations:
(1) The Shares will be subject to
BATS Rule 14.11(i), which sets forth the
initial and continued listing criteria
applicable to Managed Fund Shares.
(2) The Exchange has appropriate
rules to facilitate transactions in the
Shares during all trading sessions.
(3) Trading of the Shares through the
Exchange will be subject to the
Exchange’s surveillance procedures for
derivative products, including Managed
Fund Shares, which are adequate to
properly monitor the trading of the
Shares on the Exchange during all
trading sessions and to deter and detect
violations of Exchange rules and the
applicable federal securities laws.
(4) Prior to the commencement of
trading, the Exchange will inform its
members in an Information Circular of
the special characteristics and risks
associated with trading the Shares.
Specifically, the Information Circular
will discuss the following: (a) The
procedures for purchases and
redemptions of Shares in Creation Units
(and that Shares are not individually
redeemable); (b) BATS Rule 3.7, which
imposes suitability obligations on
Exchange members with respect to
recommending transactions in the
Shares to customers; (c) how
information regarding the Intraday
Indicative Value is disseminated; (d) the
risks involved in trading the Shares
during the Pre-Opening 17 and After
Hours Trading Sessions 18 when an
updated Intraday Indicative Value will
not be calculated or publicly
disseminated; (e) the requirement that
17 The Pre-Opening Session is from 8:00 a.m. to
9:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
18 The After Hours Trading Session is from 4:00
p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 204 / Wednesday, October 22, 2014 / Notices
members deliver a prospectus to
investors purchasing newly issued
Shares prior to or concurrently with the
confirmation of a transaction; and (f)
trading information.
(5) For initial and continued listing,
the Funds will be in compliance with
Rule 10A–3 under the Exchange Act.
(6) A Fund may hold up to an
aggregate amount of 15% of its net
assets (calculated at the time of
investment) in assets deemed illiquid by
the Adviser, consistent with
Commission guidance.
(7) A minimum of 100,000 Shares of
each Fund will be outstanding at the
commencement of trading on the
Exchange.
(8) With respect to their investments
in exchange-listed common stocks and
Depositary Receipts, the International
Funds will invest at least 90% of their
assets invested in such securities in
exchange-listed common stocks and
Depositary Receipts that trade in
markets that are members of the ISG or
are parties to a comprehensive
surveillance sharing agreement with the
Exchange.
(9) All of the debt securities held by
the Funds will be rated investment
grade.
This approval order is based on all of
the Exchange’s representations and
description of the Funds, including
those set forth above and in Amendment
No. 3.
For the foregoing reasons, the
Commission finds that the proposed
rule change, as modified by Amendment
No. 3, is consistent with Section 6(b)(5)
of the Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to a national
securities exchange.
III. Solicitation of Comments on
Amendment No. 3
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether Amendment No. 3 is
consistent with the Act. Comments may
be submitted by any of the following
methods:
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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–
BATS–2014–026 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.
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18:22 Oct 21, 2014
Jkt 235001
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–BATS–2014–026. 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–BATS–
2014–026 and should be submitted on
or before November 12, 2014.
IV. Accelerated Approval of Proposed
Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 3
The Commission finds good cause to
approve the proposed rule change, as
modified by Amendment No. 3, prior to
the thirtieth day after the date of
publication of notice of Amendment No.
3 in the Federal Register. Amendment
No. 3 supplements the proposed rule
change by, among other things: (1)
Clarifying the holdings of the Funds; (2)
providing additional information
regarding the NAV valuation of certain
of the Funds’ holdings; (3) and
supplemented the description of the
Exchange’s surveillance capabilities.19
This additional information has aided
the Commission’s analysis of the intraday trading of the Shares and has
clarified the Exchange’s ability to obtain
trading information regarding the
underlying assets and thereby monitor
trading in the Shares. Accordingly, the
Commission finds good cause, pursuant
to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, to approve
the proposed rule change, as modified
19 See
PO 00000
note 5, supra.
Frm 00124
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
63201
by Amendment No. 3, on an accelerated
basis.20
V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that the
proposed rule change (SR–BATS–2014–
026), as modified by Amendment No. 3,
be, and it hereby is, approved on an
accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.21
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–25081 Filed 10–21–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–73372; File No. SR–
NYSEMKT–2014–83]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
MKT LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed
Rule Change in Connection With the
Proposed Termination of the Amended
and Restated Trust Agreement, Dated
as of November 13, 2013 and Amended
on June 2, 2014 By and Among NYSE
Holdings LLC, a Delaware Limited
Liability Company, NYSE Group, Inc., a
Delaware Corporation, Wilmington
Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee,
`
and Each of Jacques de Larosiere de
Champfeu, Alan Trager and John
Shepard Reed, as Trustees
October 16, 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 October
8, 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 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 this rule filing
in connection with the proposed
20 This approval order is based on all of the
Exchange’s representations and description of the
Funds set forth above and in Amendment No. 3.
21 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(57).
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 15 U.S.C. 78a.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
E:\FR\FM\22OCN1.SGM
22OCN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 204 (Wednesday, October 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63198-63201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25081]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-73376; File No. SR-BATS-2014-026]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of
Filing of Amendment No. 3, and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a
Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of Certain Funds of the
Alpha Architect ETF Trust
October 16, 2014.
On July 3, 2014, BATS Exchange, Inc. (``Exchange'' or ``BATS'')
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
list and trade shares (``Shares'') of each of the following funds: (1)
ValueShares U.S. Quantitative Value ETF; (2) ValueShares International
Quantitative Value ETF; (3) MomentumShares U.S. Quantitative Momentum
ETF; and (4) MomentumShares International Quantitative Momentum ETF
(each referred to as the ``Fund'' and collectively the ``Funds''). The
proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register
on July 23, 2014.\3\ On August 15, 2014, the Exchange filed Amendment
No. 1 to the proposed rule change, which amended and replaced the
proposal in its entirety. On August 26, 2014, the Exchange filed
Amendment No. 2 to the proposed rule change, which also amended and
replaced the proposal in its entirety. The Commission designated a
longer period for Commission action on September 5, 2014.\4\ On
September 12, 2014, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 3 to the proposed
rule change, which again amended and replaced the proposal in its
entirety.\5\ No comments on the proposal have been received. This order
approves the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 3, on
an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72636 (July 17,
2014), 79 FR 42852.
\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73003, 79 FR 54307
(September 11, 2014).
\5\ Amendment No. 3 modified the proposed rule change by
clarifying the holdings of the Funds, clarifying the valuation of
various assets for purposes of calculating the net asset value
(``NAV'') of each Fund, providing more information regarding the
Share creation and redemption process, and adding information
regarding its surveillance capability. With respect to the Funds'
holdings, the Exchange specified: (1) That the common stock,
preferred stock, international stocks, and depositary receipts that
may be held by the Funds (as applicable) will all be exchange-listed
(except that up to 10% the portfolios of the international Funds may
be composed of unsponsored depositary receipts); (2) the types of
fixed income securities that may be held by each of the Funds; (3)
that the debt securities held by the ValueShares U.S. Quantitative
Value ETF and the MomentumShares U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF
would be investment grade; (4) that the Funds would not invest in
private investment funds, vehicles or structures; (5) that the 15%
limit on illiquid assets applicable to each Fund is an overarching
investment restriction; and (6) the depositary receipts in which the
ValueShares International Quantitative Value ETF and MomentumShares
International Quantitative Momentum ETF (collectively,
``International Funds'') may invest. With respect to NAV
calculation, the Exchange: (1) Clarified the method for valuation of
exchange-listed securities; (2) stated that non-exchange-listed
equity securities would be valued at their last reported sale prices
or, if no last reported sale price is available, at the most recent
bid price; and (3) clarified that fixed income securities (with the
exception of repurchase agreements) would be valued by pricing
services. With respect to Share creations and redemptions, the
Exchange provided additional information regarding the circumstances
in which a Fund may accept a custom fund deposit in connection with
Share creations as well as the daily dissemination of the redemption
basket. Lastly, the Exchange stated that it is able to access, as
needed, trade information for certain fixed income instruments
reported to the Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (``TRACE'') of
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (``FINRA'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Description of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to list and trade the Shares under BATS Rule
14.11(i), which governs the listing and trading of Managed Fund Shares
on the Exchange. The Shares will be offered by the Alpha Architect ETF
Trust (``Trust''), which was established as a Delaware statutory trust
and is registered with the Commission as an open-end investment
company.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ The Trust and has filed a registration statement on behalf
of the Funds on Form N-1A (``Registration Statement'') with the
Commission. See Registration Statement on Form N-1A for the Trust,
dated April 25, 2014 (File Nos. 333-195493 and 811-22961). The
Commission has issued an order granting certain exemptive relief to
the Trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1)
(``1940 Act''). See Investment Company Act Release No. 31018 (April
16, 2014) (File No. 812-14245).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Empowered Funds, LLC is the investment adviser (``Adviser'') to the
Funds.\7\ The Adviser is not a registered broker-dealer and is not
affiliated with any broker-dealers.\8\ U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
is the administrator and transfer agent for the Trust. U.S. Bank
National Association is the custodian for the Trust. Quasar
Distributors, LLC serves as the distributor for the Trust.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ The Adviser is an indirect subsidiary of Empirical Finance,
LLC d/b/a Empiritrage, LLC.
\8\ BATS Rule 14.11(i)(7) provides that, if the investment
adviser to the investment company issuing Managed Fund Shares is
affiliated with a broker-dealer, the investment adviser shall erect
a firewall between the investment adviser and the broker-dealer with
respect to access to information concerning the composition of or
changes to the investment company portfolio. In addition, Rule
14.11(i)(7) further requires that personnel who make decisions on
the investment company's portfolio composition must be subject to
procedures designed to prevent the misuse and dissemination of
material nonpublic information regarding the applicable investment
company portfolio. The Exchange states that, in the event that (a)
the Adviser becomes registered as a broker-dealer or newly
affiliated with a broker-dealer, or (b) any new adviser or sub-
adviser is a registered broker-dealer or becomes affiliated with a
broker-dealer, it will implement a firewall with respect to its
relevant personnel or such broker-dealer affiliate, as applicable,
regarding access to information concerning the composition of or
changes to the portfolio, and will be subject to procedures designed
to prevent the use and dissemination of material non-public
information regarding the portfolio.
\9\ Additional information regarding the Trust, the Funds, the
Shares, investment strategies, investment restrictions, risks, NAV
calculation, creation and redemption procedures, fees, portfolio
holdings, disclosure policies, distributions, and taxes, among other
information, is included in Amendment No. 3 and the Registration
Statement, as applicable. See Amendment No. 3 and Registration
Statement, supra note 5 and 6, respectively.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. ValueShares U.S. Quantitative Value ETF
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide long-term
capital appreciation. Under normal circumstances,\10\ the Fund will
invest at
[[Page 63199]]
least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment
purposes, in exchange-listed common stock of U.S. companies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ The term ``under normal circumstances'' includes, but is
not limited to, the absence of adverse market, economic, political,
or other conditions, including extreme volatility or trading halts
in the financial markets generally; operational issues causing
dissemination of inaccurate market information; or force majeure
type events such as systems failure, natural or man-made disaster,
act of God, armed conflict, act of terrorism, riot, or labor
disruption, or any similar intervening circumstance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Portfolio Holdings. The Fund may invest in exchange-listed
preferred stocks. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with
banks and broker-dealers. The Fund may invest in debt securities by
purchasing the following: Obligations of the U.S. government, its
agencies and instrumentalities; corporate debt securities; master-
demand notes; bank certificates of deposit; time deposits; bankers'
acceptances; commercial paper and other notes; and inflation-indexed
securities. All debt securities held by the Fund will be investment
grade. The Fund may also invest in the securities of other investment
companies (including money market funds and ETFs) to the extent
permitted under the 1940 Act, Commission rules thereunder and
exemptions thereto.
B. ValueShares International Quantitative Value ETF
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide long-term
capital appreciation. To achieve its objective, under normal
circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 65%--but generally greater
than 80%--of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment
purposes, in equity securities of international companies.\11\
Specifically, the Fund may invest in exchange-listed common stock of
international companies, American Depositary Receipts, Global
Depositary Receipts, and European Depositary Receipts (collectively,
``Depositary Receipts''). Among the international stocks and Depositary
Receipts held by the Fund, at least 90% of that part of the portfolio
will consist of securities that trade in markets that are members of
the Intermarket Surveillance Group (``ISG'') or are parties to a
comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement with the Exchange.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ The Fund may invest in securities of companies in any
industry and of any market capitalization.
\12\ For a list of the current members and affiliate members of
ISG, see www.isgportal.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Portfolio Holdings. The Fund may invest in exchange-listed
preferred stocks. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with
banks and broker-dealers. The Fund may invest in the following types of
debt securities: Obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and
instrumentalities; corporate debt securities; master-demand notes; bank
certificates of deposit; time deposits; bankers' acceptances;
commercial paper and other notes; and inflation-indexed securities. All
debt securities held by the Fund will be investment grade. The Fund may
also invest in the securities of other investment companies (including
money market funds and ETFs) to the extent permitted under the 1940
Act, Commission rules thereunder and exemptions thereto.
C. MomentumShares U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide long-term
capital appreciation. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest
at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment
purposes, in exchange-listed common stock of U.S. companies. The Fund
may invest in securities of companies in any industry and of any market
capitalization.
Other Portfolio Holdings. The Fund may invest in exchange-listed
preferred stocks. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with
banks and broker-dealers. The Fund may invest in the following types of
debt securities: Obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and
instrumentalities; corporate debt securities; master-demand notes; bank
certificates of deposit; time deposits; bankers' acceptances;
commercial paper and other notes; and inflation-indexed securities. All
debt securities held by the Fund will be investment grade. The Fund may
also invest in the securities of other investment companies (including
money market funds and ETFs) to the extent permitted under the 1940
Act, Commission rules thereunder and exemptions thereto.
D. MomentumShares International Quantitative Momentum ETF
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide long-term
capital appreciation. To achieve its objective, under normal
circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 65%--but generally greater
than 80%--of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment
purposes, in exchange-listed common stock of international companies
and Depositary Receipts. The Fund may invest in securities of companies
in any industry and of any market capitalization. Among the
international stocks and Depositary Receipts held by the Fund, at least
90% of that part of the portfolio will consist of securities that trade
in markets that are members of the ISG or are parties to a
comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement with the Exchange.
Other Portfolio Holdings. The Fund may invest in exchange-listed
preferred stocks. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with
banks and broker-dealers. The Fund may invest in the following types of
debt securities: Obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and
instrumentalities; corporate debt securities; master-demand notes; bank
certificates of deposit; time deposits; bankers' acceptances;
commercial paper and other notes; and inflation-indexed securities. All
debt securities held by the Fund will be investment grade. The Fund may
also invest in the securities of other investment companies (including
money market funds and ETFs) to the extent permitted under the 1940
Act, Commission rules thereunder and exemptions thereto.
II. Discussion
After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule
change is consistent with the requirements of Section 6 of the Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national
securities exchange.\13\ In particular, the Commission finds that the
proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,
which requires, among other things, that the Exchange's rules be
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of trade, 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. The Commission also finds that the proposal to list and trade
the Shares on the Exchange is consistent with Section 11A(a)(1)(C)(iii)
of the Act, which sets forth Congress's finding that it is in the
public interest and appropriate for the protection of investors and the
maintenance of fair and orderly markets to assure the availability to
brokers, dealers, and investors of information with respect to
quotations for, and transactions in, securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has
considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition,
and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the Exchange, quotation and last-sale information for
the Shares will be available on the facilities of the Consolidated Tape
Association, and the previous day's closing price and trading volume
information for the Shares will be published daily in the financial
[[Page 63200]]
section of newspapers. Additionally, information regarding market price
and trading of the Shares will be continually available on a real-time
basis throughout the day on brokers' computer screens and other
electronic services. The Exchange states that intraday, executable
price quotations on U.S. and non-U.S. securities as well as other
assets are available from major broker-dealer firms, and, for exchange-
traded assets, such intraday information is available directly from the
applicable listing exchange. Further, the Exchange states that intraday
price information is available through subscription services. Pricing
information for securities not listed on an exchange or national
securities market and repurchase agreements will be available from
major broker-dealer firms and from subscription services, such as
Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters and International Data Corporation.
In addition, the Intraday Indicative Value, as defined in defined
in BATS Rule 14.11(i)(3)(C), will be widely disseminated at least every
15 seconds during the Exchange's Regular Trading Hours.\14\ On each
business day, before commencement of trading in Shares during Regular
Trading Hours on the Exchange, the Funds will disclose the identities
and quantities of the portfolio of securities and other assets held by
each Fund that will form the basis for the Fund's calculation of NAV at
the end of the business day (``Disclosed Portfolio'').\15\ The NAV of
each Fund will be calculated each business day as of the close of
regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading. Portfolio composition files will be sent via the National
Securities Clearing Corporation and made available on each business
day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30
a.m., Eastern time), and will include a list of the names and the
required number of shares of each security in the in-kind creation
basket (based on information about the Fund's portfolio at the end of
the previous business day) and a list of the names and the number of
shares of each security in the in-kind redemption basket. The Web site
for the Funds will include a form of the prospectus for the Funds and
additional data relating to NAV and other applicable quantitative
information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ Currently, it is the Exchange's understanding that several
major market data vendors display or make widely available Intraday
Indicative Values published via the CTA or other data feeds.
\15\ The Disclosed Portfolio will include, as applicable, the
names, quantity, percentage weighting and market value of securities
and other assets held by the Fund and the characteristics of such
assets. The Funds will disseminate the Disclosed Portfolios through
their Web site at no charge.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Commission further believes that the proposal to list and trade
the Shares is reasonably designed to promote fair disclosure of
information that may be necessary to price the Shares appropriately and
to prevent trading when a reasonable degree of transparency cannot be
assured. The Commission notes that the Exchange will obtain a
representation from the issuer of the Shares that the NAV per Share of
each Fund will be calculated daily and that the NAV and the Disclosed
Portfolio will be made available to all market participants at the same
time. In addition, trading in the Shares would be subject to BATS Rules
11.18 and 14.11(i)(4)(B)(iv), which set forth circumstances under which
trading in the Shares may be halted. Trading may be halted because of
market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange,
make trading in the Shares inadvisable. These may include: (1) The
extent to which trading is not occurring in the securities or the
financial instruments composing the Disclosed Portfolio of a Fund; or
(2) whether other unusual conditions or circumstances detrimental to
the maintenance of a fair and orderly market are present. Further, the
Commission notes that the Reporting Authority that provides the
Disclosed Portfolio of each Fund must implement and maintain, or be
subject to, procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of
material, non-public information regarding the actual components of the
portfolio.\16\ In addition, the Exchange may obtain information
regarding trading in the Shares and the underlying shares of exchange-
listed equity securities via the ISG, from other exchanges that are
members or affiliates of the ISG, or with which the Exchange has
entered into a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. The
Commission also notes that the Exchange is able to access, as needed,
trade information for certain fixed income securities held by the Funds
reported to TRACE. The Exchange represents that it prohibits the
distribution of material non-public information by its employees. The
Exchange represents that the Adviser is not a registered broker-dealer
and is not affiliated with any broker-dealers. The Exchange represents
that, in the event that (a) the Adviser becomes registered as a broker-
dealer or newly affiliated with a broker-dealer, or (b) any new adviser
or sub-adviser is a registered broker-dealer or becomes affiliated with
a broker-dealer, it will implement a fire wall with respect to its
relevant personnel or such broker-dealer affiliate, as applicable,
regarding access to information concerning the composition of or
changes to the portfolio, and will be subject to procedures designed to
prevent the use and dissemination of material non-public information
regarding such portfolio.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ See BATS Rule 14.11(i)(4)(B)(ii)(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange deems the Shares to be equity securities, thus
rendering trading in the Shares subject to the Exchange's existing
rules governing the trading of equity securities. The Commission notes
that the Funds and the Shares must comply with the requirements of BATS
Rule 14.11(i) for the Shares to be listed and traded on the Exchange.
Additionally, in support of its proposal, the Exchange has made the
following representations:
(1) The Shares will be subject to BATS Rule 14.11(i), which sets
forth the initial and continued listing criteria applicable to Managed
Fund Shares.
(2) The Exchange has appropriate rules to facilitate transactions
in the Shares during all trading sessions.
(3) Trading of the Shares through the Exchange will be subject to
the Exchange's surveillance procedures for derivative products,
including Managed Fund Shares, which are adequate to properly monitor
the trading of the Shares on the Exchange during all trading sessions
and to deter and detect violations of Exchange rules and the applicable
federal securities laws.
(4) Prior to the commencement of trading, the Exchange will inform
its members in an Information Circular of the special characteristics
and risks associated with trading the Shares. Specifically, the
Information Circular will discuss the following: (a) The procedures for
purchases and redemptions of Shares in Creation Units (and that Shares
are not individually redeemable); (b) BATS Rule 3.7, which imposes
suitability obligations on Exchange members with respect to
recommending transactions in the Shares to customers; (c) how
information regarding the Intraday Indicative Value is disseminated;
(d) the risks involved in trading the Shares during the Pre-Opening
\17\ and After Hours Trading Sessions \18\ when an updated Intraday
Indicative Value will not be calculated or publicly disseminated; (e)
the requirement that
[[Page 63201]]
members deliver a prospectus to investors purchasing newly issued
Shares prior to or concurrently with the confirmation of a transaction;
and (f) trading information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ The Pre-Opening Session is from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Eastern Time.
\18\ The After Hours Trading Session is from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00
p.m. Eastern Time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) For initial and continued listing, the Funds will be in
compliance with Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
(6) A Fund may hold up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net
assets (calculated at the time of investment) in assets deemed illiquid
by the Adviser, consistent with Commission guidance.
(7) A minimum of 100,000 Shares of each Fund will be outstanding at
the commencement of trading on the Exchange.
(8) With respect to their investments in exchange-listed common
stocks and Depositary Receipts, the International Funds will invest at
least 90% of their assets invested in such securities in exchange-
listed common stocks and Depositary Receipts that trade in markets that
are members of the ISG or are parties to a comprehensive surveillance
sharing agreement with the Exchange.
(9) All of the debt securities held by the Funds will be rated
investment grade.
This approval order is based on all of the Exchange's representations
and description of the Funds, including those set forth above and in
Amendment No. 3.
For the foregoing reasons, the Commission finds that the proposed
rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 3, is consistent with Section
6(b)(5) of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable
to a national securities exchange.
III. Solicitation of Comments on Amendment No. 3
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether Amendment No. 3
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-BATS-2014-026 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-BATS-2014-026. 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-BATS-2014-026 and should be
submitted on or before November 12, 2014.
IV. Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 3
The Commission finds good cause to approve the proposed rule
change, as modified by Amendment No. 3, prior to the thirtieth day
after the date of publication of notice of Amendment No. 3 in the
Federal Register. Amendment No. 3 supplements the proposed rule change
by, among other things: (1) Clarifying the holdings of the Funds; (2)
providing additional information regarding the NAV valuation of certain
of the Funds' holdings; (3) and supplemented the description of the
Exchange's surveillance capabilities.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\19\ See note 5, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This additional information has aided the Commission's analysis of
the intra-day trading of the Shares and has clarified the Exchange's
ability to obtain trading information regarding the underlying assets
and thereby monitor trading in the Shares. Accordingly, the Commission
finds good cause, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, to approve
the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 3, on an
accelerated basis.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\20\ This approval order is based on all of the Exchange's
representations and description of the Funds set forth above and in
Amendment No. 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,
that the proposed rule change (SR-BATS-2014-026), as modified by
Amendment No. 3, be, and it hereby is, approved on an accelerated
basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\21\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(57).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-25081 Filed 10-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P