Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Exchange Rules Regarding Trade Nullification and Price Adjustment, 75602-75604 [2014-29620]
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75602
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 243 / Thursday, December 18, 2014 / Notices
rates will be applicable to them. The
Exchange believes that defining and
then using the term ‘‘Underlying
Symbol List A’’ to represent a
commonly referred to set of proprietary
products in lieu of listing out these
products in various sections of the Fees
Schedule simplifies the Fees Schedule
and makes it easier to read. The
alleviation of potential confusion will
remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in
general, protect investors and the public
interest.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
CBOE does not believe that the
proposed rule change will impose any
burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act. CBOE does
not believe that the proposed rule
change will impose any burden on
intramarket competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act because the
proposed changes apply to all Trading
Permit Holders. The Exchange believes
that the proposal to cease charging the
Trade Processing Services fee for
unmatched trade data will not cause an
unnecessary burden on intermarket
competition because other exchanges
already do not charge a similar fee. To
the extent that the proposed changes
make CBOE a more attractive
marketplace for market participants at
other exchanges, such market
participants are welcome to become
CBOE market participants.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange neither solicited nor
received written comments on the
proposed rule change.
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)
of the Act 8 and paragraph (f) of Rule
19b-4 9 thereunder. 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
8 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
9 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:23 Dec 17, 2014
Jkt 235001
Commission takes such action, the
Commission will institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
change should be approved or
disapproved.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.10
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
[FR Doc. 2014–29619 Filed 12–17–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
CBOE–2014–092 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street
NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–CBOE–2014–092. 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–CBOE–
2014–092 and should be submitted on
or before January 8, 2015.
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–73833; File No. SR–C2–
2014–027]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2
Options Exchange, Incorporated;
Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule
Change To Amend Exchange Rules
Regarding Trade Nullification and
Price Adjustment
December 12, 2014.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on December
11, 2014, C2 Options Exchange,
Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘C2’’)
filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the
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 the Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend its
rules related to trade nullification and
price adjustment. The text of the
proposed rule change is provided
below.
(additions are italicized; deletions are
[bracketed])
*
*
*
*
*
C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated
Rules
*
*
*
*
*
Rule 6.20. Trade Nullification and Price
Adjustment Procedure
A trade on the Exchange may be
nullified or adjusted if the parties to the
trade agree to the nullification or
adjustment. A trade may be nullified or
adjusted on the terms that all parties to
a particular transaction agree, provided,
however, that any trade that is nullified
or adjusted pursuant to this Rule must
10 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 243 / Thursday, December 18, 2014 / Notices
be authorized by the Exchange prior to
the nullification or adjustment.
In addition, any trade that is adjusted
pursuant to this Rule must be adjusted
to a price that was permissible and in
compliance with all Exchange and
Securities and Exchange Commission
Rules, as amended, at the time the
original transaction was executed. The
format and information required by the
Exchange for this submission will be
released by the Exchange via Regulatory
Circular.
*
*
*
*
*
The text of the proposed rule change
is also available on the Exchange’s Web
site (https://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/
CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at
the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary,
and at the Commission’s Public
Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for
the proposed rule change and discussed
any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of these
statements may be examined at the
places specified in Item IV below. The
Exchange has prepared summaries, set
forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
The Exchange is proposing to add
Rule 6.20, ‘‘Trade Nullification and
Price Adjustment Procedure.’’ 3 As
proposed, Rule 6.20 will allow for
transactions to be nullified if both
parties to the transaction agree to the
nullification and allow the price of
executions to be adjusted if the price
adjustment is agreed to by both parties
to the transaction and authorized by the
Exchange.4
Currently, Exchange Rules do not
allow parties to nullify or adjust the
3 The Exchange notes that this proposal is only
intended to be effective until the joint efforts by the
exchanges to create uniform trade nullification and
adjustment rules are approved and in effect. Once
the uniform rule has been approved and is effective,
the Exchange will amend its rules appropriately.
4 The Exchange notes that, as proposed, Rule 6.20
will only apply to trades that were executed on the
Exchange and, as such, any orders that were either
fully or partially routed to, or executed, on another
Exchange will not be subject to the proposed Rule
6.20.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:23 Dec 17, 2014
Jkt 235001
price on an execution, unless there is an
obvious error or catastrophic error
pursuant to Rule 6.15. The Exchange is
proposing to add Rule 6.20, ‘‘Trade
Nullification and Price Adjustment
Procedure,’’ which would: (a) Allow for
any trades on the Exchange to be
nullified if both parties to the trade
agree to such nullification, and (b) allow
for prices of executions to be adjusted
if the price adjustment is agreed upon
by both parties of the trade and
authorized by the Exchange.
As stated above, the Exchange
currently allows for trades to be
nullified or prices adjusted when there
is an obvious error or catastrophic
error.5 The Exchange is also proposing,
however, to add a provision to allow
TPHs to mutually agree to nullify a
transaction or adjust a price of an
execution. The Exchange believes
allowing parties to adjust the price of a
transaction is necessary given the
benefits of adjusting a trade price rather
than nullifying the trade completely.
Because options trades are used to
hedge transactions in other markets,
including securities and futures, many
TPHs, and their customers, would rather
adjust prices of executions rather than
nullify the transactions and, thus, lose
a hedge altogether. As such, the
Exchange believes it is in the best
interest of investors to allow for price
adjustments as well as nullifications. In
addition, the Exchange believes it is in
the nature of a fair and orderly market
to allow for price adjustments rather
than only cancellations because an
adjustment will result in the least
amount of disruption to the overall
market.
As proposed, Rule 6.20 expressly
states that trades may be subject to
nullification or price adjustment only if
such trades are authorized by the
Exchange. The Exchange notes that
proposed Rule 6.20 is based on Chicago
Board Options Exchange, Inc. (‘‘CBOE’’)
Rule 6.19 6 and that the process that C2
TPHs follow to nullify or adjust the
price of a transaction pursuant to
proposed rule 6.20 will be similar to
how CBOE TPHs nullify or adjust the
price of a transaction pursuant to CBOE
Rule 6.19. Additionally, as with CBOE
Rule 6.19, proposed C2 Rule 6.20
requires Exchange authorization prior to
the effectuation of such nullification or
price adjustment. As part of the
authorization process, in the case of a
mutual nullification or mutual price
adjustment, the Exchange will only
5 See
Exchange Rule 6.15.
Exchange Act Release No. 34–72970
(September 3, 2014), 79 FR 53498 (September 9,
2014) (SR–CBOE–2014–066).
6 Securities
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
75603
authorize if the Exchange received
verification from both parties to the
trade that a mutual agreement has been
made. In addition, prior to an
authorization for a mutual price
adjustment, the Exchange will ensure
the agreed upon price would have been
permissible and in compliance with all
Exchange and Securities and Exchange
Commission Rules, as amended, at the
time the original transaction was
executed.7 Finally, the proposed rule
will state that the format and
information required by the Exchange
for this submission will be released by
the Exchange via Regulatory Circular.
As such, prior to Rule 6.20 becoming
operative, the Exchange will provide
TPHs with specific requirements via an
Exchange Regulatory Circular. The
circular will, among other things, state
specific timeframes required for
requests and the format in which the
requests will be accepted by the
Exchange.
To conclude, the Exchange believes
that the proposed changes are in
furtherance of the Act because the
proposed Rule 6.20 will allow TPHs to
agree to nullify transactions or adjust
prices of transactions to maintain a fair
and orderly market. As stated above, the
Exchange intends to release a
Regulatory Circular to announce the
implementation of the Rule and other
specifics surrounding the procedures of
the implementation. In addition, prior
to implementation, the Exchange will
ensure it has proper policies and
procedures in place to correctly
administer the Rule.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed
rule change is consistent with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’) and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to the Exchange
and, in particular, the requirements of
Section 6(b) of the Act.8 Specifically,
the Exchange believes the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Section
6(b)(5) 9 requirements that the rules of
an exchange be designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to foster cooperation
and coordination with persons engaged
in regulating, clearing, settling,
processing information with respect to,
and facilitating transactions in
securities, to remove impediments to
and perfect the mechanism of a free and
7 For example, the Exchange would ensure that
the mutually agreed upon price would not have
traded through resting interest at the time of the
initial execution.
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM
18DEN1
75604
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 243 / Thursday, December 18, 2014 / Notices
open market and a national market
system, and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest.
Additionally, the Exchange believes the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the Section 6(b)(5) 10 requirement that
the rules of an exchange not be designed
to permit unfair discrimination between
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
More specifically, the Exchange
believes that the proposed changes are
consistent with the Act as they are
designed to promote just and equitable
principles of trade and protect investors
and the public interest. Because options
trades are used to hedge transactions in
other markets, including securities and
futures, many market participants
would rather adjust prices of executions
rather than nullify the transactions and,
thus, lose a hedge altogether. As such,
the Exchange believes it is in the best
interest of investors to allow for price
adjustments as well as nullifications. In
addition, the Exchange believes it is in
the nature of a fair and orderly market
to allow for price adjustments rather
than only cancellations because an
adjustment will result in the least
amount of disruption to the overall
market. In addition, the Exchange does
not believe that the proposed changes
are unfairly discriminatory because they
will be applied to all Trading Permit
Holders equally. Finally, as noted
above, proposed Rule 6.20 is based on
CBOE Rule 6.19.
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 that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act. In fact, the
Exchange believes that the proposed
rule change will foster competition as it
will allow for less overall disruption to
the market and encourage participation
on the Exchange.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
The Exchange neither solicited nor
received comments on the proposed
rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule
change does not:
A. Significantly affect the protection
of investors or the public interest;
B. impose any significant burden on
competition; and
C. become operative for 30 days from
the date on which it was filed, or such
shorter time as the Commission may
designate, it has become effective
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Act 11 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 12
thereunder. 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 will institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
change should be approved or
disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–C2–2014–027 on the
subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street
NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–C2–2014–027. 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
12 17
19:23 Dec 17, 2014
Jkt 235001
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.13
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–29620 Filed 12–17–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–73829; File No. SR–
NYSEMKT–2014–100]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change Amending Rule
900.3NY(k) To Disallow Market Orders
from Being Eligible for Designation as
an Immediate-or-Cancel Order
December 12, 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 December
2, 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 to amend
Rule 900.3NY(k) (Orders Defined) to
disallow Market Orders from being
13 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C.78s(b)(1).
2 15 U.S.C. 78a.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
11 15
10 Id.
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549 on official
business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of the Exchange. All comments
received will be posted without change;
the Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–C2–
2014–027, and should be submitted on
or before January 8, 2015.
PO 00000
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
Frm 00074
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM
18DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75602-75604]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29620]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-73833; File No. SR-C2-2014-027]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change
To Amend Exchange Rules Regarding Trade Nullification and Price
Adjustment
December 12, 2014.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that on December 11, 2014, C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated (the
``Exchange'' or ``C2'') filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the ``Commission'') the 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 the
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend its rules related to trade
nullification and price adjustment. The text of the proposed rule
change is provided below.
(additions are italicized; deletions are [bracketed])
* * * * *
C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated Rules
* * * * *
Rule 6.20. Trade Nullification and Price Adjustment Procedure
A trade on the Exchange may be nullified or adjusted if the parties
to the trade agree to the nullification or adjustment. A trade may be
nullified or adjusted on the terms that all parties to a particular
transaction agree, provided, however, that any trade that is nullified
or adjusted pursuant to this Rule must
[[Page 75603]]
be authorized by the Exchange prior to the nullification or adjustment.
In addition, any trade that is adjusted pursuant to this Rule must
be adjusted to a price that was permissible and in compliance with all
Exchange and Securities and Exchange Commission Rules, as amended, at
the time the original transaction was executed. The format and
information required by the Exchange for this submission will be
released by the Exchange via Regulatory Circular.
* * * * *
The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the
Exchange's Web site (https://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange's Office of the
Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange is proposing to add Rule 6.20, ``Trade Nullification
and Price Adjustment Procedure.'' \3\ As proposed, Rule 6.20 will allow
for transactions to be nullified if both parties to the transaction
agree to the nullification and allow the price of executions to be
adjusted if the price adjustment is agreed to by both parties to the
transaction and authorized by the Exchange.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The Exchange notes that this proposal is only intended to be
effective until the joint efforts by the exchanges to create uniform
trade nullification and adjustment rules are approved and in effect.
Once the uniform rule has been approved and is effective, the
Exchange will amend its rules appropriately.
\4\ The Exchange notes that, as proposed, Rule 6.20 will only
apply to trades that were executed on the Exchange and, as such, any
orders that were either fully or partially routed to, or executed,
on another Exchange will not be subject to the proposed Rule 6.20.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently, Exchange Rules do not allow parties to nullify or adjust
the price on an execution, unless there is an obvious error or
catastrophic error pursuant to Rule 6.15. The Exchange is proposing to
add Rule 6.20, ``Trade Nullification and Price Adjustment Procedure,''
which would: (a) Allow for any trades on the Exchange to be nullified
if both parties to the trade agree to such nullification, and (b) allow
for prices of executions to be adjusted if the price adjustment is
agreed upon by both parties of the trade and authorized by the
Exchange.
As stated above, the Exchange currently allows for trades to be
nullified or prices adjusted when there is an obvious error or
catastrophic error.\5\ The Exchange is also proposing, however, to add
a provision to allow TPHs to mutually agree to nullify a transaction or
adjust a price of an execution. The Exchange believes allowing parties
to adjust the price of a transaction is necessary given the benefits of
adjusting a trade price rather than nullifying the trade completely.
Because options trades are used to hedge transactions in other markets,
including securities and futures, many TPHs, and their customers, would
rather adjust prices of executions rather than nullify the transactions
and, thus, lose a hedge altogether. As such, the Exchange believes it
is in the best interest of investors to allow for price adjustments as
well as nullifications. In addition, the Exchange believes it is in the
nature of a fair and orderly market to allow for price adjustments
rather than only cancellations because an adjustment will result in the
least amount of disruption to the overall market.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See Exchange Rule 6.15.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As proposed, Rule 6.20 expressly states that trades may be subject
to nullification or price adjustment only if such trades are authorized
by the Exchange. The Exchange notes that proposed Rule 6.20 is based on
Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc. (``CBOE'') Rule 6.19 \6\ and that
the process that C2 TPHs follow to nullify or adjust the price of a
transaction pursuant to proposed rule 6.20 will be similar to how CBOE
TPHs nullify or adjust the price of a transaction pursuant to CBOE Rule
6.19. Additionally, as with CBOE Rule 6.19, proposed C2 Rule 6.20
requires Exchange authorization prior to the effectuation of such
nullification or price adjustment. As part of the authorization
process, in the case of a mutual nullification or mutual price
adjustment, the Exchange will only authorize if the Exchange received
verification from both parties to the trade that a mutual agreement has
been made. In addition, prior to an authorization for a mutual price
adjustment, the Exchange will ensure the agreed upon price would have
been permissible and in compliance with all Exchange and Securities and
Exchange Commission Rules, as amended, at the time the original
transaction was executed.\7\ Finally, the proposed rule will state that
the format and information required by the Exchange for this submission
will be released by the Exchange via Regulatory Circular. As such,
prior to Rule 6.20 becoming operative, the Exchange will provide TPHs
with specific requirements via an Exchange Regulatory Circular. The
circular will, among other things, state specific timeframes required
for requests and the format in which the requests will be accepted by
the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-72970 (September 3,
2014), 79 FR 53498 (September 9, 2014) (SR-CBOE-2014-066).
\7\ For example, the Exchange would ensure that the mutually
agreed upon price would not have traded through resting interest at
the time of the initial execution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
To conclude, the Exchange believes that the proposed changes are in
furtherance of the Act because the proposed Rule 6.20 will allow TPHs
to agree to nullify transactions or adjust prices of transactions to
maintain a fair and orderly market. As stated above, the Exchange
intends to release a Regulatory Circular to announce the implementation
of the Rule and other specifics surrounding the procedures of the
implementation. In addition, prior to implementation, the Exchange will
ensure it has proper policies and procedures in place to correctly
administer the Rule.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular,
the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\8\ Specifically, the
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the
Section 6(b)(5) \9\ requirements that the rules of an exchange be
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation
and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing,
settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and
[[Page 75604]]
open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest. Additionally, the Exchange believes
the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \10\
requirement that the rules of an exchange not be designed to permit
unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
\10\ Id.
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More specifically, the Exchange believes that the proposed changes
are consistent with the Act as they are designed to promote just and
equitable principles of trade and protect investors and the public
interest. Because options trades are used to hedge transactions in
other markets, including securities and futures, many market
participants would rather adjust prices of executions rather than
nullify the transactions and, thus, lose a hedge altogether. As such,
the Exchange believes it is in the best interest of investors to allow
for price adjustments as well as nullifications. In addition, the
Exchange believes it is in the nature of a fair and orderly market to
allow for price adjustments rather than only cancellations because an
adjustment will result in the least amount of disruption to the overall
market. In addition, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed
changes are unfairly discriminatory because they will be applied to all
Trading Permit Holders equally. Finally, as noted above, proposed Rule
6.20 is based on CBOE Rule 6.19.
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 that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. In fact, the Exchange
believes that the proposed rule change will foster competition as it
will allow for less overall disruption to the market and encourage
participation on the Exchange.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the
proposed rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not:
A. Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public
interest;
B. impose any significant burden on competition; and
C. become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was
filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has
become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \11\ and
Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \12\ thereunder. 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 will institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
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\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File Number SR-C2-2014-027 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-C2-2014-027. This file
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-C2-2014-027, and should be
submitted on or before January 8, 2015.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
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\13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-29620 Filed 12-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P