Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend NASDAQ Rules 7014 and 7018, 594-597 [2014-30903]

Download as PDF 594 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Notices after the date on which the Trading Permit was in effect during that first month divided by the total number of trading days in such month multiplied by the monthly rate. The Exchange proposes to implement the Trading Permit fees beginning January 1, 2015. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal to amend its fee schedule is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 5 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act 6 in particular, in that it is an equitable allocation of reasonable fees and other charges among Exchange members. The Exchange believes that the proposed Trading Permit fee is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly discriminatory. The Exchange notes that the Trading Permit fees are lower than comparable fees at other exchanges as described in the Purpose section above. As such, the proposal is reasonably designed because it will incent market participants to register as EEMs on the Exchange in a manner that enables the Exchange to improve its overall competitiveness and strengthen its market quality for all market participants. The proposed fee is fair and equitable and not unreasonably discriminatory because the Trading Permit fee applies equally to all Members who choose to register as an EEM. All similarly situated EEMs will be subject to the same Trading Permit fee, and access to the Exchange is offered on terms that are not unfairly discriminatory. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange believes that the proposal increases both intermarket and intramarket competition by marginally increasing Trading Permit fees for EEMs on the Exchange in a manner that still remains lower than comparable fees on other exchanges. The Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be excessive. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually adjust its fees to remain competitive with other exchanges and to attract order flow to the Exchange. The Exchange believes U.S.C. 78f(b). 6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4). that the proposal reflects this competitive environment because it increases the Exchange’s fees in a manner that continues to encourage market participants to register as EEMs on the Exchange, to provide liquidity, and to attract order flow. To the extent that this purpose is achieved, all the Exchange’s market participants should benefit from the improved market liquidity. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.7 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved. 19:38 Jan 05, 2015 For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.8 Brent J. Fields, Secretary. 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: [FR Doc. 2014–30891 Filed 1–5–15; 8:45 am] Electronic comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– MIAX–2014–068 on the subject line. Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend NASDAQ Rules 7014 and 7018 Paper comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–MIAX–2014–068. 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 5 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–MIAX– 2014–068 and should be submitted on or before January 27, 2015. BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–73967; File No. SR– NASDAQ–2014–128] December 30, 2014. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on December 19, 2014, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘NASDAQ’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. 8 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 7 15 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). Frm 00114 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\06JAN1.SGM 06JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Notices 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 NASDAQ is proposing to lower access fees in order to attract more investor orders to the public markets. In response to claims that public markets are too expensive, NASDAQ is proposing to amend Rule 7018(a) to lower execution fees for a select group of securities where access fees may be discouraging the use of public markets. NASDAQ believes that the data generated by this experimental approach will contribute to the on-going debate on the structure of U.S. markets. NASDAQ is also making clarifying changes to Rule 7014. While the changes proposed herein are effective upon filing, the Exchange has designated that the amendments be operative on February 2, 2015. The text of the proposed rule change is available at nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com at NASDAQ’s principal office, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, NASDAQ included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose Hundreds of exchange-listed securities trade more volume on offexchange markets than on exchange markets. Off-exchange orders do not generate quotes on public markets, do not interact with orders on public markets and consequently do not promote or contribute to price discovery to the same extent as do orders posted and executed on exchanges.3 Economic 3 NASDAQ notes that a displayed order at the NBBO of an exchange, and the subsequent execution thereof, contributes significantly to price discovery because both the displayed order prior to VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:38 Jan 05, 2015 Jkt 235001 studies from markets spanning the world conclude that as more orders migrate away from exchanges, the price discovery process weakens, trading spreads widen, and overall investor trading costs increase.4 NASDAQ has been an advocate for improvements to the market structure regulations that have enabled—and even exacerbated— this shift by failing to evolve as technological advances have transformed trading over the last decade. In the absence of market-wide regulatory changes, NASDAQ OMX, through its subsidiary exchanges including NASDAQ, has attempted multiple times and in multiple ways to improve market structure to the extent possible by a single player in an interconnected, multi-player ecosystem. While these programs have met mixed success, NASDAQ believes that each one makes an important contribution to the continued evolution of U.S. market structure by showing regulators and market participants potential paths to positive change. Now, in response to assertions that the shift in trading away from public markets is caused by high exchange access fees, NASDAQ is proposing another market structure experiment: To significantly reduce access fees, and related credits in a select set of securities. As discussed below, NASDAQ believes that proposed changes may improve price discovery in the select securities. Perhaps more importantly, the experimental fee reduction will generate much-needed data about the impact of access fees on the level of off-exchange trading and, potentially, on price discovery, trading costs, displayed liquidity and execution quality as well. NASDAQ further believes that a data driven, empiricallybased review of the impacts of fees and rebates on market quality is the sound and prudent method to drive the equity execution, and the execution itself, provide a reference price to the market. Further, a nondisplayed order on an exchange contributes to price discovery as it is part of the continuous auction on a market with publicly displayed orders and quotes—albeit the contribution of a non-displayed order on an exchange is less than the contribution of a displayed order on the exchange. A nondisplayed order on an off-exchange venue contributes less to price discovery because it is resting in a less transparent trading venue that is not part of the continuous auction of a ‘‘lit’’ exchange. 4 See, e.g., Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Report 331 ‘‘Dark Liquidity and HighFrequency Trading’’ (March 2013) (available at: https://download.asic.gov.au/media/1344182/ rep331-published-18-March-2013.pdf); see also International Organization of Securities Commissions, Technical Committee, Final Report ‘‘Principals for Dark Liquidity’’ (May 2011) (available at: https://www.iosco.org/library/pubdocs/ pdf/IOSCOPD353.pdf). PO 00000 Frm 00115 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 595 markets to the right conclusion. NASDAQ believes the proposal is a means to that end. Specifically, NASDAQ is proposing to amend NASDAQ Rule 7018(a) by reducing the fee assessed for accessing liquidity, and also reducing the credits provided for adding liquidity, on NASDAQ in certain securities. The proposed reduced fees and credits will be provided in lieu of other fees and credits under the fee schedule.5 Currently, NASDAQ assesses fees and provides credits under Rule 7018(a) in securities that trade at $1 or more based on the market on which it is listed.6 Under each section of the rule, NASDAQ provides various tiers of fees and rebates based on a member’s trading activity. NASDAQ is proposing to modify the fees and credits applicable to trading activity in fourteen equity securities, denoted in the proposed rule by their ticker symbols (‘‘Select Symbols’’).7 NASDAQ is also amending Rule 7014 to make clear that the fees and credits described in Rule 7014 do not apply to Select Symbols. The proposed change is a part of NASDAQ’s continuing efforts to improve market quality. Rule 610 of Regulation NMS generally limits the fees that any trading center 8 can charge for accessing the best bid and offer of an exchange to no more than $0.0030 per share; however, there is no limit on how low an access fee may be under the regulation. Most national securities exchanges operate what is commonly known as a ‘‘maker-taker’’ model of pricing, whereby a liquidity maker is provided with a rebate if its order is executed and a liquidity taker is assessed a fee for removing that liquidity. By using the maker-taker model, exchanges are able to provide an 5 For example, through the Investor Support Program and Qualified Market Maker Program NASDAQ provides certain credits and reduced fees for member firms that improve the market significantly. See Rule 7014. NASDAQ notes that although the proposed new fees and credits are in lieu of other fees and credits, the trading activity in these securities will be accounted for in calculations of measures used to qualify for fees and credits under Rule 7018(a) applied to securities not in the proposed program (for example, Consolidated Volume as defined under Rule 7018(a)). 6 Namely, NASDAQ, The New York Stock Exchange, or other exchanges. 7 Each of the Select Symbol securities trade in excess of $1. NASDAQ notes that the proposed fees and credits applicable to the Select Symbols do not apply to participation in the NASDAQ Opening, Closing, and Halt Crosses. 8 ‘‘Trading Center’’ is defined by Regulation NMS as a national securities exchange or national securities association that operates an SRO trading facility, an alternative trading system, an exchange market maker, an OTC market maker, or any other broker or dealer that executes orders internally by trading as principal or crossing orders as agent. See 17 CFR 242.600(b)(78). E:\FR\FM\06JAN1.SGM 06JAN1 596 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Notices tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES incentive to liquidity makers to expose their orders, supported by the fee paid by the liquidity taker. Under Rule 7018(a), NASDAQ currently assesses a fee of $0.0030 per share executed for accessing liquidity on NASDAQ, and provides various credits under the rule for providing liquidity. NASDAQ is proposing to reduce the fees assessed for accessing liquidity on the Exchange in the Select Symbols in an effort to attract more liquidity to the Exchange in those securities and thereby improve the quality of the market in them on NASDAQ. In terms of the fee assessed for accessing all liquidity on NASDAQ, the Exchange proposes to lower the fee from $0.0030 to $0.0005 for the fourteen Select Symbols, which are comprised of securities listed on either NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange (‘‘NYSE’’). NASDAQ is proposing to reduce the access fee regardless of whether the liquidity removed is displayed or not. Concurrent with lowering the fee assessed for removing liquidity from NASDAQ in the Select Symbols, NASDAQ is also proposing to reduce the credits provided for adding liquidity in them. Currently, NASDAQ provides various credits to member firms that provide displayed liquidity 9 based on various measures of the nature and consistency of the member firm’s beneficial market activity.10 The credits NASDAQ provides for displayed liquidity range from $0.0015 to $0.00305 per share executed. NASDAQ is proposing to reduce the credit provided to a member firm that provides displayed liquidity in the select securities to $0.0004 per share executed. The Exchange also provides a credit to member firms that contribute nondisplayed mid-point liquidity to NASDAQ. Like the credits provided for displayed liquidity, NASDAQ provides several credits to member firms that provide non-displayed midpoint liquidity based on the nature and consistency of the member firm’s beneficial contribution to market quality. These credits NASDAQ provides for non-displayed midpoint liquidity range from $0.0010 to a credit of $0.0025 per share executed. NASDAQ notes that, while displayed liquidity provides the greatest contribution to market quality, non-displayed midpoint liquidity often provides liquidity takers with significant price improvement. Accordingly, NASDAQ provides an incentive to market participants to provide non-displayed midpoint liquidity, albeit at a level generally lower than what is provided for displayed liquidity. NASDAQ is proposing to provide a credit to a member firm that provides nondisplayed midpoint liquidity in the select securities of $0.0002 per share executed. Lastly, NASDAQ provides credits that range from $0.0018 to $0.0000 per share executed for certain other non-displayed orders, including Supplemental Orders,11 if that member firm contributes a significant level of nondisplayed liquidity during the month. Under the proposal, NASDAQ will not provide a credit for other non-displayed orders in the Select Symbols. NASDAQ notes that it may, from time to time, alter the securities that are included in the list of Select Symbols and will file the appropriate rule filing if such a chance [sic] is proposed. NASDAQ will consider the impact the pricing has had on market quality and off-exchange volume of existing Select Symbols, and will also consider similar factors when selecting securities to be added as Select Symbols. 9 Other than Supplemental Orders and Designated Retail Orders, which have separate credits and eligibility requirements. 10 For example, NASDAQ provides a credit of $0.00305 per share executed to member firms that have (i) shares of liquidity provided in all securities through one of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs that represent 1.60% or more of Consolidated Volume during the month, or (ii) shares of liquidity provided in all securities through one or more of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs that represent 1.60% or more of Consolidated Volume during the month, and shares of liquidity provided in all securities through one of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs that represent 0.75% or more of Consolidated Volume during the month. Consolidated Volume is defined under the rule as the total consolidated volume reported to all consolidated transaction reporting plans by all exchanges and trade reporting facilities during a month in equity securities, excluding executed orders with a size of less than one round lot. As such, to qualify for the credit a member firm must consistently contribute significantly toward improving price discovery. 2. Statutory Basis NASDAQ believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,12 in general, and with Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,13 in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any facility or system which NASDAQ operates or controls, and is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:38 Jan 05, 2015 Jkt 235001 11 As defined by Rule 4751(f)(14). U.S.C. 78f. 13 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5). 12 15 PO 00000 Frm 00116 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest; and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. NASDAQ believes that the proposed fee and credits for trading in the Select Symbols are reasonable and equitably allocated because they are designed to improve market quality in securities that currently trade significantly offexchange. NASDAQ notes that the proposed access fee is significantly lower than the access fee assessed by NASDAQ for all equity securities trading above $1. Although access fees have been debated before Regulation NMS was adopted, these fees and related credits have recently been the subject of intense debate and part of the larger discussion on U.S. market structure. Many commenters have noted that the exchange’s fee and rebate structures have become too complex, which has resulted in a significant number of market participants to [sic] direct order flow to venues other than exchanges. NASDAQ believes that orders interacting on ‘‘lit’’ exchanges provide the greatest contribution to price competition and transparency. Accordingly, NASDAQ is proposing to reduce the access fee significantly in certain securities that have greater than average off-exchange transactions, which it believes may attract order flow that is currently directed to off-exchange trading venues. As a consequence of the access fee reduction in these securities, NASDAQ is also generally reducing the credit provided to liquidity makers for providing liquidity in the Select Symbols. As noted above, exchanges using the maker-taker model use, in part, the access fee assessed the liquidity taker to cover the credit provided to the liquidity maker. As such, NASDAQ believes that it reasonable to reduce the credits provided to liquidity makers in the Select Symbols given the reduction in the fee assessed liquidity takers. The Exchange notes that the credits provided for adding liquidity in the Select Symbols are tiered to provide the greatest credit to liquidity makers that provide the most beneficial liquidity. NASDAQ believes that providing such tiered credits is reasonable and an equitable allocation of the credit because doing so is consistent with the current structure under the rule, E:\FR\FM\06JAN1.SGM 06JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2015 / Notices tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES whereby member firms that provide displayed liquidity are generally provided the greatest credit and those that provide non-displayed liquidity receive the lowest. NASDAQ believes that the proposed changes are not unfairly discriminatory because they will apply uniformly to all member firms that trade in the Select Symbols. Moreover, applying the reduced access fee to the Select Symbols is not unfairly discriminatory because the Exchange seeks to provide incentive to member firms to direct order flow away from off-exchange venues and on to NASDAQ. NASDAQ notes that it is also reducing the credits provided to liquidity makers in the Select Symbols, which will offset the reduced fee received by NASDAQ from liquidity takers. As such, liquidity makers will continue to be rewarded for providing liquidity to NASDAQ, while liquidity takers will continue to be assessed a fee for removing liquidity. Lastly, NASDAQ is continuing its practice of providing greater credits to liquidity makers that provide liquidity that contributes most to price discovery. serve as a burden on competition in any way, but rather may promote competition among exchanges in the fees assessed and credits provided in the Select Symbols. Moreover, the proposed changes are reflective of the competition that exists between exchanges and off-exchange venues that are subject to lesser regulatory burdens than the exchanges, including transparency. Lastly, the proposed changes are designed to benefit market quality and ultimately, price competition among market participants on the Exchange. In sum, if the changes proposed herein are unattractive to market participants, it is likely that NASDAQ will lose market share as a result. To the extent the proposed changes are effective at attracting order flow to the Exchange, the changes will promote competition among exchanges and other trading venues. Accordingly, NASDAQ does not believe that the proposed changes will unnecessarily impair the ability of members or other order execution venues to compete in the financial markets. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition NASDAQ does not believe that the proposed rule changes will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended.14 NASDAQ notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be excessive, or rebate opportunities available at other venues to be more favorable. In such an environment, NASDAQ must continually adjust its fees to remain competitive with other exchanges and with alternative trading systems that have been exempted from compliance with the statutory standards applicable to exchanges. Because competitors are free to modify their own fees in response, and because market participants may readily adjust their order routing practices, NASDAQ believes that the degree to which fee changes in this market may impose any burden on competition is extremely limited. In this instance, NASDAQ is making a significant reduction in the access fee assessed for removing liquidity in the Select Symbols. NASDAQ’s goal in doing so is to attract liquidity to NASDAQ in these securities, thereby improving the level of price discovery. NASDAQ does not believe that the proposed changes will C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others 14 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:38 Jan 05, 2015 Written comments were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act 15. 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. 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: Jkt 235001 • Send an email to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–NASDAQ–2014–128 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–NASDAQ–2014–128. 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 offices 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– NASDAQ–2014–128, and should be submitted on or before January 27, 2015. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.16 Brent J. Fields, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2014–30903 Filed 1–5–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or 15 PO 00000 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). Frm 00117 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 597 16 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). E:\FR\FM\06JAN1.SGM 06JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 6, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 594-597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30903]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-73967; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2014-128]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To 
Amend NASDAQ Rules 7014 and 7018

December 30, 2014.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on December 19, 2014, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``NASDAQ'' or the 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') a proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and 
III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange.

[[Page 595]]

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

    NASDAQ is proposing to lower access fees in order to attract more 
investor orders to the public markets. In response to claims that 
public markets are too expensive, NASDAQ is proposing to amend Rule 
7018(a) to lower execution fees for a select group of securities where 
access fees may be discouraging the use of public markets. NASDAQ 
believes that the data generated by this experimental approach will 
contribute to the on-going debate on the structure of U.S. markets. 
NASDAQ is also making clarifying changes to Rule 7014.
    While the changes proposed herein are effective upon filing, the 
Exchange has designated that the amendments be operative on February 2, 
2015. The text of the proposed rule change is available at 
nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com at NASDAQ's principal office, and at the 
Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

    In its filing with the Commission, NASDAQ included statements 
concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of those statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such 
statements.

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

1. Purpose
    Hundreds of exchange-listed securities trade more volume on off-
exchange markets than on exchange markets. Off-exchange orders do not 
generate quotes on public markets, do not interact with orders on 
public markets and consequently do not promote or contribute to price 
discovery to the same extent as do orders posted and executed on 
exchanges.\3\ Economic studies from markets spanning the world conclude 
that as more orders migrate away from exchanges, the price discovery 
process weakens, trading spreads widen, and overall investor trading 
costs increase.\4\ NASDAQ has been an advocate for improvements to the 
market structure regulations that have enabled--and even exacerbated--
this shift by failing to evolve as technological advances have 
transformed trading over the last decade. In the absence of market-wide 
regulatory changes, NASDAQ OMX, through its subsidiary exchanges 
including NASDAQ, has attempted multiple times and in multiple ways to 
improve market structure to the extent possible by a single player in 
an interconnected, multi-player ecosystem. While these programs have 
met mixed success, NASDAQ believes that each one makes an important 
contribution to the continued evolution of U.S. market structure by 
showing regulators and market participants potential paths to positive 
change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ NASDAQ notes that a displayed order at the NBBO of an 
exchange, and the subsequent execution thereof, contributes 
significantly to price discovery because both the displayed order 
prior to execution, and the execution itself, provide a reference 
price to the market. Further, a non-displayed order on an exchange 
contributes to price discovery as it is part of the continuous 
auction on a market with publicly displayed orders and quotes--
albeit the contribution of a non-displayed order on an exchange is 
less than the contribution of a displayed order on the exchange. A 
non-displayed order on an off-exchange venue contributes less to 
price discovery because it is resting in a less transparent trading 
venue that is not part of the continuous auction of a ``lit'' 
exchange.
    \4\ See, e.g., Australian Securities and Investments Commission, 
Report 331 ``Dark Liquidity and High-Frequency Trading'' (March 
2013) (available at: https://download.asic.gov.au/media/1344182/rep331-published-18-March-2013.pdf); see also International 
Organization of Securities Commissions, Technical Committee, Final 
Report ``Principals for Dark Liquidity'' (May 2011) (available at: 
https://www.iosco.org/library/pubdocs/pdf/IOSCOPD353.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Now, in response to assertions that the shift in trading away from 
public markets is caused by high exchange access fees, NASDAQ is 
proposing another market structure experiment: To significantly reduce 
access fees, and related credits in a select set of securities. As 
discussed below, NASDAQ believes that proposed changes may improve 
price discovery in the select securities. Perhaps more importantly, the 
experimental fee reduction will generate much-needed data about the 
impact of access fees on the level of off-exchange trading and, 
potentially, on price discovery, trading costs, displayed liquidity and 
execution quality as well. NASDAQ further believes that a data driven, 
empirically-based review of the impacts of fees and rebates on market 
quality is the sound and prudent method to drive the equity markets to 
the right conclusion. NASDAQ believes the proposal is a means to that 
end.
    Specifically, NASDAQ is proposing to amend NASDAQ Rule 7018(a) by 
reducing the fee assessed for accessing liquidity, and also reducing 
the credits provided for adding liquidity, on NASDAQ in certain 
securities. The proposed reduced fees and credits will be provided in 
lieu of other fees and credits under the fee schedule.\5\ Currently, 
NASDAQ assesses fees and provides credits under Rule 7018(a) in 
securities that trade at $1 or more based on the market on which it is 
listed.\6\ Under each section of the rule, NASDAQ provides various 
tiers of fees and rebates based on a member's trading activity. NASDAQ 
is proposing to modify the fees and credits applicable to trading 
activity in fourteen equity securities, denoted in the proposed rule by 
their ticker symbols (``Select Symbols'').\7\ NASDAQ is also amending 
Rule 7014 to make clear that the fees and credits described in Rule 
7014 do not apply to Select Symbols. The proposed change is a part of 
NASDAQ's continuing efforts to improve market quality.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ For example, through the Investor Support Program and 
Qualified Market Maker Program NASDAQ provides certain credits and 
reduced fees for member firms that improve the market significantly. 
See Rule 7014. NASDAQ notes that although the proposed new fees and 
credits are in lieu of other fees and credits, the trading activity 
in these securities will be accounted for in calculations of 
measures used to qualify for fees and credits under Rule 7018(a) 
applied to securities not in the proposed program (for example, 
Consolidated Volume as defined under Rule 7018(a)).
    \6\ Namely, NASDAQ, The New York Stock Exchange, or other 
exchanges.
    \7\ Each of the Select Symbol securities trade in excess of $1. 
NASDAQ notes that the proposed fees and credits applicable to the 
Select Symbols do not apply to participation in the NASDAQ Opening, 
Closing, and Halt Crosses.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule 610 of Regulation NMS generally limits the fees that any 
trading center \8\ can charge for accessing the best bid and offer of 
an exchange to no more than $0.0030 per share; however, there is no 
limit on how low an access fee may be under the regulation. Most 
national securities exchanges operate what is commonly known as a 
``maker-taker'' model of pricing, whereby a liquidity maker is provided 
with a rebate if its order is executed and a liquidity taker is 
assessed a fee for removing that liquidity. By using the maker-taker 
model, exchanges are able to provide an

[[Page 596]]

incentive to liquidity makers to expose their orders, supported by the 
fee paid by the liquidity taker.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ ``Trading Center'' is defined by Regulation NMS as a 
national securities exchange or national securities association that 
operates an SRO trading facility, an alternative trading system, an 
exchange market maker, an OTC market maker, or any other broker or 
dealer that executes orders internally by trading as principal or 
crossing orders as agent. See 17 CFR 242.600(b)(78).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under Rule 7018(a), NASDAQ currently assesses a fee of $0.0030 per 
share executed for accessing liquidity on NASDAQ, and provides various 
credits under the rule for providing liquidity. NASDAQ is proposing to 
reduce the fees assessed for accessing liquidity on the Exchange in the 
Select Symbols in an effort to attract more liquidity to the Exchange 
in those securities and thereby improve the quality of the market in 
them on NASDAQ. In terms of the fee assessed for accessing all 
liquidity on NASDAQ, the Exchange proposes to lower the fee from 
$0.0030 to $0.0005 for the fourteen Select Symbols, which are comprised 
of securities listed on either NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange 
(``NYSE''). NASDAQ is proposing to reduce the access fee regardless of 
whether the liquidity removed is displayed or not.
    Concurrent with lowering the fee assessed for removing liquidity 
from NASDAQ in the Select Symbols, NASDAQ is also proposing to reduce 
the credits provided for adding liquidity in them. Currently, NASDAQ 
provides various credits to member firms that provide displayed 
liquidity \9\ based on various measures of the nature and consistency 
of the member firm's beneficial market activity.\10\ The credits NASDAQ 
provides for displayed liquidity range from $0.0015 to $0.00305 per 
share executed. NASDAQ is proposing to reduce the credit provided to a 
member firm that provides displayed liquidity in the select securities 
to $0.0004 per share executed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ Other than Supplemental Orders and Designated Retail Orders, 
which have separate credits and eligibility requirements.
    \10\ For example, NASDAQ provides a credit of $0.00305 per share 
executed to member firms that have (i) shares of liquidity provided 
in all securities through one of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs that 
represent 1.60% or more of Consolidated Volume during the month, or 
(ii) shares of liquidity provided in all securities through one or 
more of its Nasdaq Market Center MPIDs that represent 1.60% or more 
of Consolidated Volume during the month, and shares of liquidity 
provided in all securities through one of its Nasdaq Market Center 
MPIDs that represent 0.75% or more of Consolidated Volume during the 
month. Consolidated Volume is defined under the rule as the total 
consolidated volume reported to all consolidated transaction 
reporting plans by all exchanges and trade reporting facilities 
during a month in equity securities, excluding executed orders with 
a size of less than one round lot. As such, to qualify for the 
credit a member firm must consistently contribute significantly 
toward improving price discovery.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also provides a credit to member firms that contribute 
non-displayed mid-point liquidity to NASDAQ. Like the credits provided 
for displayed liquidity, NASDAQ provides several credits to member 
firms that provide non-displayed midpoint liquidity based on the nature 
and consistency of the member firm's beneficial contribution to market 
quality. These credits NASDAQ provides for non-displayed midpoint 
liquidity range from $0.0010 to a credit of $0.0025 per share executed. 
NASDAQ notes that, while displayed liquidity provides the greatest 
contribution to market quality, non-displayed mid-point liquidity often 
provides liquidity takers with significant price improvement. 
Accordingly, NASDAQ provides an incentive to market participants to 
provide non-displayed midpoint liquidity, albeit at a level generally 
lower than what is provided for displayed liquidity. NASDAQ is 
proposing to provide a credit to a member firm that provides non-
displayed midpoint liquidity in the select securities of $0.0002 per 
share executed.
    Lastly, NASDAQ provides credits that range from $0.0018 to $0.0000 
per share executed for certain other non-displayed orders, including 
Supplemental Orders,\11\ if that member firm contributes a significant 
level of non-displayed liquidity during the month. Under the proposal, 
NASDAQ will not provide a credit for other non-displayed orders in the 
Select Symbols.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ As defined by Rule 4751(f)(14).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NASDAQ notes that it may, from time to time, alter the securities 
that are included in the list of Select Symbols and will file the 
appropriate rule filing if such a chance [sic] is proposed. NASDAQ will 
consider the impact the pricing has had on market quality and off-
exchange volume of existing Select Symbols, and will also consider 
similar factors when selecting securities to be added as Select 
Symbols.
2. Statutory Basis
    NASDAQ believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,\12\ in general, and with 
Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,\13\ in particular, in that it 
provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and 
other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any 
facility or system which NASDAQ operates or controls, and is designed 
to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote 
just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and 
coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, 
processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions 
in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a 
free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to 
protect investors and the public interest; and is not designed to 
permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or 
dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NASDAQ believes that the proposed fee and credits for trading in 
the Select Symbols are reasonable and equitably allocated because they 
are designed to improve market quality in securities that currently 
trade significantly off-exchange. NASDAQ notes that the proposed access 
fee is significantly lower than the access fee assessed by NASDAQ for 
all equity securities trading above $1. Although access fees have been 
debated before Regulation NMS was adopted, these fees and related 
credits have recently been the subject of intense debate and part of 
the larger discussion on U.S. market structure. Many commenters have 
noted that the exchange's fee and rebate structures have become too 
complex, which has resulted in a significant number of market 
participants to [sic] direct order flow to venues other than exchanges. 
NASDAQ believes that orders interacting on ``lit'' exchanges provide 
the greatest contribution to price competition and transparency. 
Accordingly, NASDAQ is proposing to reduce the access fee significantly 
in certain securities that have greater than average off-exchange 
transactions, which it believes may attract order flow that is 
currently directed to off-exchange trading venues. As a consequence of 
the access fee reduction in these securities, NASDAQ is also generally 
reducing the credit provided to liquidity makers for providing 
liquidity in the Select Symbols. As noted above, exchanges using the 
maker-taker model use, in part, the access fee assessed the liquidity 
taker to cover the credit provided to the liquidity maker. As such, 
NASDAQ believes that it reasonable to reduce the credits provided to 
liquidity makers in the Select Symbols given the reduction in the fee 
assessed liquidity takers. The Exchange notes that the credits provided 
for adding liquidity in the Select Symbols are tiered to provide the 
greatest credit to liquidity makers that provide the most beneficial 
liquidity. NASDAQ believes that providing such tiered credits is 
reasonable and an equitable allocation of the credit because doing so 
is consistent with the current structure under the rule,

[[Page 597]]

whereby member firms that provide displayed liquidity are generally 
provided the greatest credit and those that provide non-displayed 
liquidity receive the lowest.
    NASDAQ believes that the proposed changes are not unfairly 
discriminatory because they will apply uniformly to all member firms 
that trade in the Select Symbols. Moreover, applying the reduced access 
fee to the Select Symbols is not unfairly discriminatory because the 
Exchange seeks to provide incentive to member firms to direct order 
flow away from off-exchange venues and on to NASDAQ. NASDAQ notes that 
it is also reducing the credits provided to liquidity makers in the 
Select Symbols, which will offset the reduced fee received by NASDAQ 
from liquidity takers. As such, liquidity makers will continue to be 
rewarded for providing liquidity to NASDAQ, while liquidity takers will 
continue to be assessed a fee for removing liquidity. Lastly, NASDAQ is 
continuing its practice of providing greater credits to liquidity 
makers that provide liquidity that contributes most to price discovery.

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

    NASDAQ does not believe that the proposed rule changes will result 
in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended.\14\ NASDAQ notes 
that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market 
participants can readily favor competing venues if they deem fee levels 
at a particular venue to be excessive, or rebate opportunities 
available at other venues to be more favorable. In such an environment, 
NASDAQ must continually adjust its fees to remain competitive with 
other exchanges and with alternative trading systems that have been 
exempted from compliance with the statutory standards applicable to 
exchanges. Because competitors are free to modify their own fees in 
response, and because market participants may readily adjust their 
order routing practices, NASDAQ believes that the degree to which fee 
changes in this market may impose any burden on competition is 
extremely limited. In this instance, NASDAQ is making a significant 
reduction in the access fee assessed for removing liquidity in the 
Select Symbols. NASDAQ's goal in doing so is to attract liquidity to 
NASDAQ in these securities, thereby improving the level of price 
discovery. NASDAQ does not believe that the proposed changes will serve 
as a burden on competition in any way, but rather may promote 
competition among exchanges in the fees assessed and credits provided 
in the Select Symbols. Moreover, the proposed changes are reflective of 
the competition that exists between exchanges and off-exchange venues 
that are subject to lesser regulatory burdens than the exchanges, 
including transparency. Lastly, the proposed changes are designed to 
benefit market quality and ultimately, price competition among market 
participants on the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In sum, if the changes proposed herein are unattractive to market 
participants, it is likely that NASDAQ will lose market share as a 
result. To the extent the proposed changes are effective at attracting 
order flow to the Exchange, the changes will promote competition among 
exchanges and other trading venues. Accordingly, NASDAQ does not 
believe that the proposed changes will unnecessarily impair the ability 
of members or other order execution venues to compete in the financial 
markets.

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

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

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

    The foregoing change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act \15\. 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
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-NASDAQ-2014-128 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-NASDAQ-2014-128. 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 offices 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-NASDAQ-2014-
128, and should be submitted on or before January 27, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-30903 Filed 1-5-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.