Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Y-Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Pilot Period for BATS Y-Exchange, Inc.'s Retail Price Improvement (“RPI”) Program for 12 Months, To Expire on January 31, 2016, 4598-4600 [2015-01506]
Download as PDF
4598
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 18 / Wednesday, January 28, 2015 / Notices
with filing Form N–CSR is addressed in
the submission related to that form.
The estimate of average burden hours
is made solely for the purposes of the
Paperwork Reduction Act, and is not
derived from a comprehensive or even
a representative survey or study of the
costs of Commission rules and forms.
Written comments are invited on: (a)
Whether the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Commission,
including whether the information has
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
Commission’s estimate of the burden of
the collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information collected; and (d)
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents, including through the use
of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Consideration will be given to
comments and suggestions submitted in
writing within 60 days of this
publication.
Please direct your written comments
to Pamela Dyson, Acting Director/Chief
Information Officer, Securities and
Exchange Commission, C/O Remi
Pavlik-Simon, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549; or send an email
to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov.
Dated: January 22, 2015.
Brent Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–01512 Filed 1–27–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
Upon Written Request, Copies
Available From: Securities and
Exchange Commission, Office of FOIA
Services, Washington, DC 20549–2736.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Extension:
Rule 17Ac2–1, SEC File No. 270–95, OMB
Control No. 3235–0084.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant
to the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995(‘‘PRA’’) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.),
the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’) has
submitted to the Office of Management
and Budget (‘‘OMB’’) a request for
approval of extension of the existing
collection of information provided for in
Rule 17Ac2–1 (17 CFR 240.17Ac2–1)
under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (‘‘Exchange
Act’’).
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Rule 17Ac2–1, pursuant to Section
17A(c) of the Exchange Act, generally
requires transfer agents for whom the
Commission is the transfer agent’s
Appropriate Regulatory Agency
(‘‘ARA’’), to file an application for
registration with the Commission on
Form TA–1 and to amend their
registrations under certain
circumstances.
Specifically, Rule 17Ac2–1 requires
transfer agents to file a Form TA–1
application for registration with the
Commission where the Commission is
their ARA. Such transfer agents must
also amend their Form TA–1 if the
existing information on their Form TA–
1 becomes inaccurate, misleading, or
incomplete within 60 days following the
date the information became inaccurate,
misleading or incomplete. Registration
filings on Form TA–1 and amendments
thereto must be filed with the
Commission electronically, absent an
exemption, on EDGAR pursuant to
Regulation S–T (17 CFR 232).
The Commission annually receives
approximately 174 filings on Form TA–
1 from transfer agents required to
register as such with the Commission.
Included in this figure are
approximately 164 amendments made
annually by transfer agents to their
Form TA–1 as required by Rule 17Ac2–
1(c) to address information that has
become inaccurate, misleading, or
incomplete and approximately 10 new
applications by transfer agents for
registration on Form TA–1 as required
by Rule 17Ac2–1(a). Based on past
submissions, the staff estimates that on
average approximately twelve hours are
required for initial completion of Form
TA–1 and that on average one and onehalf hours are required for an
amendment to Form TA–1 by each such
firm. Thus, the subtotal burden for new
applications for registration filed on
Form TA–1 each year is 120 hours (12
hours times 10 filers) and the subtotal
burden for amendments to Form TA–1
filed each year is 246 hours (1.5 hours
times 164 filers). The cumulative total is
366 burden hours per year (120 hours
plus 246 hours).
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
under the PRA unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
The public may view background
documentation for this information
collection at the following Web site:
www.reginfo.gov. Comments should be
directed to: (i) Desk Officer for the
Securities and Exchange Commission,
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Room 10102, New Executive
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Office Building, Washington, DC 20503
or by sending an email to: Shagufta_
Ahmed@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) Pamela
Dyson, Acting Director/Chief
Information Officer, Securities and
Exchange Commission, c/o Remi PavlikSimon, 100 F Street NE., Washington,
DC 20549, or by sending an email to:
PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must
be submitted to OMB within 30 days of
this notice.
Dated: January 22, 2015.
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–01511 Filed 1–27–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–74111; File No. SR–BYX–
2015–05]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS
Y-Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
Rule Change To Extend the Pilot
Period for BATS Y-Exchange, Inc.’s
Retail Price Improvement (‘‘RPI’’)
Program for 12 Months, To Expire on
January 31, 2016
January 22, 2015.
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 January
16, 2015, BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. (the
‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BYX’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I and II
below, which Items have been prepared
by the Exchange. The Exchange has
designated this proposal as a ‘‘noncontroversial’’ proposed rule change
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)
thereunder,4 which renders it effective
upon filing with the Commission. 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 filed a proposal to
extend the pilot period for the
Exchange’s Retail Price Improvement
(‘‘RPI’’) Program (the ‘‘Program’’), which
is currently set to expire on January 31,
2015, for 12 months, to expire on
January 31, 2016.
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
2 17
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The text of the proposed rule change
is available at the Exchange’s Web site
at https://www.directedge.com/, at the
principal office of the Exchange, and at
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
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 parts 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
Background
In November 2012, the Commission
approved the RPI Program on a pilot
basis.5 The Program is designed to
attract retail order flow to the Exchange,
and allows such order flow to receive
potential price improvement. The
Program is currently limited to trades
occurring at prices equal to or greater
than $1.00 per share. Under the
Program, all Exchange Users 6 are
permitted to provide potential price
improvement for Retail Orders 7 in the
form of non-displayed interest that is
better than the national best bid that is
a Protected Quotation (‘‘Protected
NBB’’) or the national best offer that is
a Protected Quotation (‘‘Protected
NBO’’, and together with the Protected
NBB, the ‘‘Protected NBBO’’).8
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68303
(November 27, 2012), 77 FR 71652 (December 3,
2012) (‘‘RPI Approval Order’’) (SR–BYX–2012–019).
6 A ‘‘User’’ is defined in BYX Rule 1.5(cc) as any
member or sponsored participant of the Exchange
who is authorized to obtain access to the System.
7 A ‘‘Retail Order’’ is defined in Rule 11.24(a)(2)
as an agency order that originates from a natural
person and is submitted to the Exchange by a RMO,
provided that no change is made to the terms of the
order with respect to price or side of market and
the order does not originate from a trading
algorithm or any computerized methodology. See
Rule 11.24(a)(2).
8 The term Protected Quotation is defined in BYX
Rule 1.5(t) and has the same meaning as is set forth
in Regulation NMS Rule 600(b)(58). The terms
Protected NBB and Protected NBO are defined in
BYX Rule 1.5(s). The Protected NBB is the bestpriced protected bid and the Protected NBO is the
best-priced protected offer. Generally, the Protected
NBB and Protected NBO and the national best bid
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The Program was approved by the
Commission on a pilot basis running
one-year from the date of
implementation.9 The Commission
approved the Program on November 27,
2012.10 The Exchange implemented the
Program on January 11, 2013, and has
extended the pilot period one time.11
The pilot period for the Program is
scheduled to end on January 31, 2015.
Proposal To Extend the Operation of the
Program
The Exchange established the RPI
Program in an attempt to attract retail
order flow to the Exchange by
potentially providing price
improvement to such order flow. The
Exchange believes that the Program
promotes competition for retail order
flow by allowing Exchange members to
submit Retail Price Improvement Orders
(‘‘RPI Orders’’) 12 to interact with Retail
Orders. Such competition has the ability
to promote efficiency by facilitating the
price discovery process and generating
additional investor interest in trading
securities, thereby promoting capital
formation. The Exchange believes that
extending the pilot is appropriate
because it will allow the Exchange and
the Commission additional time to
analyze data regarding the Program that
the Exchange has committed to
provide.13 As such, the Exchange
believes that it is appropriate to extend
the current operation of the Program.14
Through this filing, the Exchange seeks
(‘‘NBB’’) and national best offer (‘‘NBO’’, together
with the NBB, the ‘‘NBBO’’) will be the same.
However, a market center is not required to route
to the NBB or NBO if that market center is subject
to an exception under Regulation NMS Rule
611(b)(1) or if such NBB or NBO is otherwise not
available for an automatic execution. In such case,
the Protected NBB or Protected NBO would be the
best-priced protected bid or offer to which a market
center must route interest pursuant to Regulation
NMS Rule 611.
9 See RPI Approval Order, supra note 5 at 71652.
10 Id.
11 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71249
(January 7, 2014), 79 FR 2229 (January 13, 2014)
(SR–BYX–2014–001) (Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposal Extending Pilot
Period Until January 31, 2015).
12 A ‘‘Retail Price Improvement Order’’ is defined
in Rule 11.24(a)(3) as an order that consists of nondisplayed interest on the Exchange that is priced
better than the Protected NBB or Protected NBO by
at least $0.001 and that is identified as such. See
Rule 11.24(a)(3).
13 See RPI Approval Order, supra note 5 at 71655.
14 Concurrently with this filing, the Exchange has
submitted a request for an extension of the
exemption under Regulation NMS Rule 612
previously granted by the Commission that permits
it to accept and rank the RPI orders in sub-penny
increments. See Letter from Eric Swanson, EVP,
General Counsel, BATS Global Markets, Inc. to
Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and
Exchange Commission dated January 16, 2015.
PO 00000
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4599
to extend the current pilot period of the
Program until January 31, 2016.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposal is consistent with the
requirements of the Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder that are
applicable to a national securities
exchange, and, in particular, with the
requirements of Section 6(b) of the
Act.15 In particular, the Exchange
believes the proposed change furthers
the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the
Act,16 in that it 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 facilitating transactions in securities,
and to remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system. The Exchange believes that
extending the pilot period for the RPI
Program is consistent with these
principles because the Program is
reasonably designed to attract retail
order flow to the exchange environment,
while helping to ensure that retail
investors benefit from the better price
that liquidity providers are willing to
give their orders. Additionally, as
previously stated, the competition
promoted by the Program may facilitate
the price discovery process and
potentially generate additional investor
interest in trading securities. The
extension of the pilot period will allow
the Commission and the Exchange to
continue to monitor the Program for its
potential effects on public price
discovery, and on the broader market
structure.
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. The
proposed rule change extends an
established pilot program for slightly
more than 12 months, thus allowing the
RPI Program to enhance competition for
retail order flow and contribute to the
public price discovery process.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange has neither solicited
nor received written comments on the
proposed rule change.
15 15
16 15
E:\FR\FM\28JAN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78f(b).
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
28JAN1
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 18 / Wednesday, January 28, 2015 / Notices
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The Exchange has filed the proposed
rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 17 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) 18 thereunder. Because the
foregoing proposed rule change does
not: (i) Significantly affect the
protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant
burden on competition; and (iii) become
operative 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 19 and
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4
thereunder.20
A proposed rule change filed under
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not
become operative for 30 days after the
date of filing.21 However, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) permits the Commission to
designate a shorter time if such action
is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest.22 The
Exchange has asked the Commission to
waive the 30-day operative delay so that
the proposal may become operative
immediately upon filing. The
Commission believes that waiving the
30-day operative delay is consistent
with the protection of investors and the
public interest because such waiver
would allow the pilot program to
continue uninterrupted. Accordingly,
the Commission hereby grants the
Exchange’s request and designates the
proposal operative upon filing.23
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: (i) Necessary or appropriate in
the public interest; (ii) for the protection
of investors; or (iii) otherwise in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.24
If the Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings
17 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) requires the Exchange to give the
Commission written notice of the Exchange’s intent
to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief
description and text of the proposed rule change,
at least five business days prior to the date of filing
of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time
as designated by the Commission. The Exchange
has satisfied this requirement.
19 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
20 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
21 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
22 Id.
23 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
operative delay, the Commission has considered the
proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition,
and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
24 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C).
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
18 17
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16:41 Jan 27, 2015
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to determine whether the proposed rule
change should be approved or
disapproved.25
IV. Solicitation of Comments
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.26
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
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. 2015–01506 Filed 1–27–15; 8:45 am]
Electronic Comments
[Release No. 34–74117; File No. SR–ISE–
2015–03]
• 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–
BYX–2015–05 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–BYX–2015–05. 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
a.m. and 3 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–BYX–
2015–05, and should be submitted on or
before February 18, 2015.
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change To Amend the Schedule of
Fees
January 22, 2015.
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 January 8,
2015, the International Securities
Exchange, LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or the
‘‘ISE’’) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission the proposed
rule change, as described in Items I, II,
and III 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 ISE proposes to amend the
Schedule of Fees to (1) increase the
route-out fee applicable to Priority
Customer orders routed to away
markets, (2) adopt a stock handling fee
for stock-option orders executed against
other stock-option orders in the
complex order book, (3) increase the
Crossing Fee Cap subject to a discount
for members that agree in advance to
pay the full amount regardless of actual
trading volume, and (4) remove certain
obsolete text related to PrecISE fees. The
text of the proposed rule change is
available on the Exchange’s Web site
(https://www.ise.com), at the principal
office of the Exchange, and at the
Commission’s Public Reference Room.
26 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S. C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
25 Id.
PO 00000
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4598-4600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01506]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-74111; File No. SR-BYX-2015-05]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Y-Exchange, Inc.; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Extend
the Pilot Period for BATS Y-Exchange, Inc.'s Retail Price Improvement
(``RPI'') Program for 12 Months, To Expire on January 31, 2016
January 22, 2015.
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 January 16, 2015, BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or
``BYX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and
II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange
has designated this proposal as a ``non-controversial'' proposed rule
change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder,\4\ which renders it effective upon filing with
the Commission. 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.
\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of the
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange filed a proposal to extend the pilot period for the
Exchange's Retail Price Improvement (``RPI'') Program (the
``Program''), which is currently set to expire on January 31, 2015, for
12 months, to expire on January 31, 2016.
[[Page 4599]]
The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's
Web site at https://www.directedge.com/, at the principal office of the
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the 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 parts of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
Background
In November 2012, the Commission approved the RPI Program on a
pilot basis.\5\ The Program is designed to attract retail order flow to
the Exchange, and allows such order flow to receive potential price
improvement. The Program is currently limited to trades occurring at
prices equal to or greater than $1.00 per share. Under the Program, all
Exchange Users \6\ are permitted to provide potential price improvement
for Retail Orders \7\ in the form of non-displayed interest that is
better than the national best bid that is a Protected Quotation
(``Protected NBB'') or the national best offer that is a Protected
Quotation (``Protected NBO'', and together with the Protected NBB, the
``Protected NBBO'').\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68303 (November 27,
2012), 77 FR 71652 (December 3, 2012) (``RPI Approval Order'') (SR-
BYX-2012-019).
\6\ A ``User'' is defined in BYX Rule 1.5(cc) as any member or
sponsored participant of the Exchange who is authorized to obtain
access to the System.
\7\ A ``Retail Order'' is defined in Rule 11.24(a)(2) as an
agency order that originates from a natural person and is submitted
to the Exchange by a RMO, provided that no change is made to the
terms of the order with respect to price or side of market and the
order does not originate from a trading algorithm or any
computerized methodology. See Rule 11.24(a)(2).
\8\ The term Protected Quotation is defined in BYX Rule 1.5(t)
and has the same meaning as is set forth in Regulation NMS Rule
600(b)(58). The terms Protected NBB and Protected NBO are defined in
BYX Rule 1.5(s). The Protected NBB is the best-priced protected bid
and the Protected NBO is the best-priced protected offer. Generally,
the Protected NBB and Protected NBO and the national best bid
(``NBB'') and national best offer (``NBO'', together with the NBB,
the ``NBBO'') will be the same. However, a market center is not
required to route to the NBB or NBO if that market center is subject
to an exception under Regulation NMS Rule 611(b)(1) or if such NBB
or NBO is otherwise not available for an automatic execution. In
such case, the Protected NBB or Protected NBO would be the best-
priced protected bid or offer to which a market center must route
interest pursuant to Regulation NMS Rule 611.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Program was approved by the Commission on a pilot basis running
one-year from the date of implementation.\9\ The Commission approved
the Program on November 27, 2012.\10\ The Exchange implemented the
Program on January 11, 2013, and has extended the pilot period one
time.\11\ The pilot period for the Program is scheduled to end on
January 31, 2015.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ See RPI Approval Order, supra note 5 at 71652.
\10\ Id.
\11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71249 (January 7,
2014), 79 FR 2229 (January 13, 2014) (SR-BYX-2014-001) (Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposal Extending Pilot
Period Until January 31, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposal To Extend the Operation of the Program
The Exchange established the RPI Program in an attempt to attract
retail order flow to the Exchange by potentially providing price
improvement to such order flow. The Exchange believes that the Program
promotes competition for retail order flow by allowing Exchange members
to submit Retail Price Improvement Orders (``RPI Orders'') \12\ to
interact with Retail Orders. Such competition has the ability to
promote efficiency by facilitating the price discovery process and
generating additional investor interest in trading securities, thereby
promoting capital formation. The Exchange believes that extending the
pilot is appropriate because it will allow the Exchange and the
Commission additional time to analyze data regarding the Program that
the Exchange has committed to provide.\13\ As such, the Exchange
believes that it is appropriate to extend the current operation of the
Program.\14\ Through this filing, the Exchange seeks to extend the
current pilot period of the Program until January 31, 2016.
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\12\ A ``Retail Price Improvement Order'' is defined in Rule
11.24(a)(3) as an order that consists of non-displayed interest on
the Exchange that is priced better than the Protected NBB or
Protected NBO by at least $0.001 and that is identified as such. See
Rule 11.24(a)(3).
\13\ See RPI Approval Order, supra note 5 at 71655.
\14\ Concurrently with this filing, the Exchange has submitted a
request for an extension of the exemption under Regulation NMS Rule
612 previously granted by the Commission that permits it to accept
and rank the RPI orders in sub-penny increments. See Letter from
Eric Swanson, EVP, General Counsel, BATS Global Markets, Inc. to
Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission
dated January 16, 2015.
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2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with the
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder that
are applicable to a national securities exchange, and, in particular,
with the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\15\ In particular,
the Exchange believes the proposed change furthers the objectives of
Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\16\ in that it 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 facilitating transactions in securities, and to
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open
market and a national market system. The Exchange believes that
extending the pilot period for the RPI Program is consistent with these
principles because the Program is reasonably designed to attract retail
order flow to the exchange environment, while helping to ensure that
retail investors benefit from the better price that liquidity providers
are willing to give their orders. Additionally, as previously stated,
the competition promoted by the Program may facilitate the price
discovery process and potentially generate additional investor interest
in trading securities. The extension of the pilot period will allow the
Commission and the Exchange to continue to monitor the Program for its
potential effects on public price discovery, and on the broader market
structure.
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\15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change
extends an established pilot program for slightly more than 12 months,
thus allowing the RPI Program to enhance competition for retail order
flow and contribute to the public price discovery process.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on
the proposed rule change.
[[Page 4600]]
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \17\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \18\ thereunder.
Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly
affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose
any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative 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 \19\ and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule
19b-4 thereunder.\20\
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\17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii)
requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the
Exchange's intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a
brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The
Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
\19\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does
not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing.\21\ However,
Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) permits the Commission to designate a shorter
time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and
the public interest.\22\ The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive
the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative
immediately upon filing. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-
day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and
the public interest because such waiver would allow the pilot program
to continue uninterrupted. Accordingly, the Commission hereby grants
the Exchange's request and designates the proposal operative upon
filing.\23\
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\21\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\22\ Id.
\23\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (i)
Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the
protection of investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the
purposes of the Act.\24\ If the Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the
proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved.\25\
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\24\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C).
\25\ Id.
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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-BYX-2015-05 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-BYX-2015-05. 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
a.m. and 3 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-BYX-2015-05, and should be
submitted on or before February 18, 2015.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\26\
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\26\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-01506 Filed 1-27-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P