Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Schedule of Fees, 24300-24302 [2015-10038]
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24300
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 83 / Thursday, April 30, 2015 / Notices
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–
2015–19 and should be submitted on or
before May 21, 2015.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.15
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–10040 Filed 4–29–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
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
self-regulatory organization 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 self-regulatory organization has
prepared summaries, set forth in
sections A, B and C below, of the most
significant aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
The purpose of the proposed rule
change is to amend the Schedule of Fees
as described in more detail below.
[Release No. 34–74804; File No. SR–ISE–
2015–15]
1. Market Maker Fees & Tier Discounts
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change To Amend the Schedule of
Fees
The Exchange charges a taker fee for
regular orders in Select Symbols 3 that is
$0.42 per contract for Market Maker 4
orders, including Market Maker Plus 5
orders, $0.45 per contract for Non-ISE
Market Maker,6 Firm Proprietary 7/
Broker-Dealer,8 and Professional
Customer 9 orders, and $0.30 per
April 24, 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 April 10,
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.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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 as described in more
detail below. The text of the proposed
rule change is available on the
Exchange’s Web site (https://
www.ise.com), at the principal office of
15 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
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Jkt 235001
3 ‘‘Select
Symbols’’ are options overlying all
symbols listed on the ISE that are in the Penny Pilot
Program.
4 The term ‘‘Market Makers’’ refers to
‘‘Competitive Market Makers’’ and ‘‘Primary Market
Makers’’ collectively. See ISE Rule 100(a)(25).
5 A Market Maker Plus is a Market Maker who is
on the National Best Bid or National Best Offer at
least 80% of the time for series trading between
$0.03 and $3.00 (for options whose underlying
stock’s previous trading day’s last sale price was
less than or equal to $100) and between $0.10 and
$3.00 (for options whose underlying stock’s
previous trading day’s last sale price was greater
than $100) in premium in each of the front two
expiration months. A Market Maker’s single best
and single worst quoting days each month based on
the front two expiration months, on a per symbol
basis, will be excluded in calculating whether a
Market Maker qualifies for this rebate, if doing so
will qualify a Market Maker for the rebate.
6 A ‘‘Non-ISE Market Maker’’ is a market maker
as defined in Section 3(a)(38) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, registered in the
same options class on another options exchange.
7 A ‘‘Firm Proprietary’’ order is an order
submitted by a member for its own proprietary
account.
8 A ‘‘Broker-Dealer’’ order is an order submitted
by a member for a broker-dealer account that is not
its own proprietary account.
9 A ‘‘Professional Customer’’ is a person or entity
that is not a broker/dealer and is not a Priority
Customer.
PO 00000
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contract for Priority Customer 10 orders.
The Exchange now proposes to increase
this taker fee to $0.44 per contract for
Market Maker orders, including Market
Maker Plus orders.
The Exchange also charges Market
Makers a maker/taker fee and a fee for
Crossing Orders 11 that is $0.22 per
contract for regular orders in Non-Select
Symbols 12 as well as regular and
complex orders in Foreign Currency
(‘‘FX’’) Option Symbols.13 In addition,
Market Makers that execute a monthly
volume of 250,000 contracts or more are
entitled to a discounted rate of $0.15 per
contract (together, ‘‘Market Maker
Discount Tiers’’). The Exchange now
proposes to increase these fees. In
particular, applicable Market Maker
orders will now be charged a fee of
$0.25 per contract, subject to a
discounted rate of $0.20 per contract for
Market Makers that meet the volume
threshold described above.
2. Fees for Firm Proprietary/BrokerDealer, Non-ISE Market Maker, &
Professional Customer Orders
The Exchange also charges a maker/
taker fee for regular orders in Non-Select
Symbols as well as regular and complex
orders in FX Option Symbols that is
$0.30 per contract for Firm Proprietary/
Broker-Dealer, and Professional
Customer orders, and $0.45 per contract
for Non-ISE Market Maker orders. The
Exchange now proposes to increase fees
for each of these market participants to
$0.50 per contract.
3. Complex Order Maker Fees
The Exchange charges a maker fee for
complex orders in Non-Select Symbols
that is $0.10 per contract for Market
Maker, Firm Proprietary/Broker-Dealer,
and Professional Customer orders, and
$0.20 per contract for Non-ISE Market
Maker orders, in each case when trading
against other non-Priority Customer
orders. The Exchange now proposes to
increase this maker fee to $0.20 per
contract for Market Maker, Firm
Proprietary/Broker-Dealer, and
Professional Customer orders, in line
with the current fees charged for NonISE Market Maker orders.
10 A ‘‘Priority Customer’’ is a person or entity that
is not a broker/dealer in securities, and does not
place more than 390 orders in listed options per day
on average during a calendar month for its own
beneficial account(s), as defined in ISE Rule
100(a)(37A).
11 The fee for Crossing Orders applies to Crossing
Orders other than PIM orders of 100 or fewer
contracts, which are billed separately.
12 ‘‘Non-Select Symbols’’ are options overlying all
symbols excluding Select Symbols.
13 Fees in FX options do not apply to Early
Adopter Market Makers. Market Maker orders sent
by an Electronic Access Member (‘‘EAM’’) are
charged separately.
E:\FR\FM\30APN1.SGM
30APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 83 / Thursday, April 30, 2015 / Notices
The Exchange also charges a uniform
maker fee of $0.43 per contract for nonPriority Customer orders that trade
against Priority Customer orders in
Complex Quoting Symbols,14 i.e.,
symbols in which Market Makers can
enter quotes in the complex order book.
In addition, Market Makers receive a
discount of $0.02 per contract in
Complex Quoting Symbols when
trading against Priority Customer orders
preferenced to them in the complex
order book. The Exchange now proposes
to eliminate these special fees
applicable to Complex Quoting
Symbols. As such, Non-Priority
Customer orders in Complex Quoting
Symbols will now be charged applicable
maker fee for Select Symbols when
trading against Priority Customer orders.
This fee is $0.44 per contract for NonISE Market Maker, Firm Proprietary/
Broker-Dealer and Professional
Customer orders, and $0.43 per contract
(subject to a preference discount) for
Market Maker orders.
4. Fee for Responses to Crossing Orders
The Exchange charges all market
participants a fee for responses to
Crossing Orders that is $0.45 per
contract for regular and complex orders
in Select Symbols and FX Option
Symbols,15 as well as regular orders in
Non-Select Symbols. The Exchange now
proposes to increase this response fee to
$0.47 per contract. The Exchange is not
proposing any changes to the response
fees for complex orders in Non-Select
Symbols, which will continue to be
charged at a rate of $0.90 per contract
for Market Maker orders, and $0.95 per
contract for all other market
participants.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,16
in general, and Section 6(b)(4) of the
Act,17 in particular, in that it is designed
to provide for the equitable allocation of
reasonable dues, fees, and other charges
among its members and other persons
using its facilities.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
1. Market Maker Fees & Tier Discounts
The Exchange believes that it is
reasonable and equitable to increase
Market Maker fees (including applicable
14 The Complex Quoting Symbols are AA, ABX,
EFA, GLD, MSFT, MU, NVDA, VXX, VZ, WFC, XLB
and XOP.
15 The Exchange notes that Early Adopter Market
Makers in FX option classes are not charged a fee
for responses to Crossing Orders. The Exchange is
not proposing any changes to response fees for
Early Adopter Market Makers.
16 15 U.S.C. 78f.
17 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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17:01 Apr 29, 2015
Jkt 235001
Market Maker Discount Tiers) as the
proposed fees are designed to continue
to be attractive to Market Makers that
trade on ISE, and are within the range
of fees charged by other options
exchanges. Furthermore, the Exchange
notes that while it is increasing Market
Maker fees, Market Makers will
continue to be charged fees that are
generally lower than the fees applicable
to other market participants, except for
Priority Customers. The Exchange does
not believe that it is unfairly
discriminatory to provide lower fees to
Market Maker orders as Market Makers
are subject to additional requirements
and obligations (such as quoting
requirements) that other market
participants are not.
2. Fees for Firm Proprietary/BrokerDealer, Non-ISE Market Maker, &
Professional Customer Orders
The Exchange believes that it is
reasonable and equitable to increase the
fees charged to Firm Proprietary/BrokerDealer, Non-ISE Market Maker, and
Professional Customer orders as the
proposed fees are designed to be
attractive to market participants that
choose to bring order flow to the ISE,
and remain well within the range of fees
charged by some of the Exchange’s
competitors. Furthermore, the Exchange
does not believe that the proposed fees
are unfairly discriminatory as the fees
would apply to equally to Non-ISE
Market Maker, Firm Proprietary/BrokerDealer, and Professional Customer
orders. In connection with this
proposed change, the Exchange notes
that fees charged to Market Maker
orders are also increasing (see above)
but will remain lower than the fees
described here for Firm Proprietary/
Broker-Dealer, Non-ISE Market Maker,
and Professional Customer orders. The
Exchange does not believe that this is
unfairly discriminatory for the reasons
already discussed.
3. Complex Order Maker Fees
The Exchange believes that the
proposed change to increase complex
order maker fees is reasonable and
equitable as the proposed fees are set at
levels that the Exchange believes will
continue be attractive to market
participants that provide liquidity in
complex orders, and are within the
range of fees charged by other options
exchanges. Moreover, with the proposed
change, Market Maker, Firm
Proprietary/Broker-Dealer, and
Professional Customer complex orders
in Non-Select Symbols will now be
charged the same maker fee as is
currently applicable to Non-ISE Market
Maker complex orders. As the proposed
PO 00000
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24301
fees will be applied equally to all
market participants that trade complex
orders in these symbols, the Exchange
further believes that this proposed
change is not unfairly discriminatory. In
addition, the Exchange believes that it is
reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly
discriminatory to eliminate special fees
for Complex Quoting Symbols, as the
Exchange believes that these fee
discounts are no longer needed to attract
liquidity in these symbols. Furthermore,
the Exchange believes that it is not
unfairly discriminatory to eliminate this
distinction for Complex Quoting
Symbols, as members will now be
charged the standard maker fee for all
complex orders in Select Symbols,
including the Complex Quoting
Symbols.
4. Fee for Responses to Crossing Orders
The Exchange believes that the
proposed fees for responses to Crossing
Orders, which are being increased
slightly, are appropriate to attract price
improvement for Crossing Orders
submitted to ISE, and therefore qualify
as reasonable and equitable. In this
regard, the Exchange notes that other
options exchanges charge various fees
for responses to Crossing Orders, and
the fees proposed here are within the
range of fees charged by these
competitor markets. Additionally, the
Exchange believes that the proposed
response fees are not unfairly
discriminatory as the Exchange will
continue to charge a uniform response
fee that is applicable to all market
participants that respond to Crossing
Orders in affected symbols. As is the
case today, responses to Crossing Orders
will be charged a higher fee than contraside orders submitted as part of a
crossing transaction. The Exchange
continues to believe that this is
reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly
discriminatory as contra-side orders
guarantee the agency order, and are
subject to market risk during the time
period that the agency order is exposed
to other market participants for
potential price improvement. Finally,
the Exchange notes that it will continue
to charge a higher fee for responses to
complex Crossing Orders in Non-Select
symbols, which reflects the higher fees
and rebates generally applicable to
complex orders in these symbols.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
In accordance with Section 6(b)(8) of
the Act,18 the Exchange does not believe
that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on intermarket or
18 15
E:\FR\FM\30APN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
30APN1
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 83 / Thursday, April 30, 2015 / Notices
intramarket competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act. The
Exchange believes that the proposed
fees and rebates are competitive with
fees and rebates offered to orders
executed on other options exchanges.
The Exchange operates in a highly
competitive market in which market
participants can readily direct their
order flow to competing venues. In such
an environment, the Exchange must
continually review, and consider
adjusting, its fees and rebates to remain
competitive with other exchanges. For
the reasons described above, the
Exchange believes that the proposed fee
changes reflect this competitive
environment.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange has not solicited, and
does not intend to solicit, comments on
this proposed rule change. The
Exchange has not received any
unsolicited written comments from
members or other interested parties.
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 19 and
subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–4
thereunder,20 because it establishes a
due, fee, or other charge imposed by
ISE.
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of such 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.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposal 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 No. SR–ISE–
2015–15 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549.
All submissions should refer to File No.
SR–ISE–2015–15. 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 changes 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 ISE. 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 No. SR–ISE–2015–
15 and should be submitted on or before
May 21, 2015.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.21
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–10038 Filed 4–29–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–74807; File No. SR–FINRA–
2015–008]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
Rule Change To Delay the
Implementation Date of Trade
Reporting Amendments Approved
Pursuant to SR–FINRA–2013–050
April 24, 2015.
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 April 21,
2015, Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed
rule change as described in Items I and
II below, which Items have been
prepared by FINRA. FINRA has
designated the proposed rule change as
constituting a ‘‘non-controversial’’ rule
change under paragraph (f)(6) of Rule
19b–4 under the Act,3 which renders
the proposal effective upon receipt of
this filing by 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
FINRA is proposing to delay the
implementation date of amendments to
the trade reporting rules relating to the
Alternative Display Facility (‘‘ADF’’)
and the Trade Reporting Facilities
(‘‘TRFs’’) approved pursuant to SR–
FINRA–2013–050. The proposed rule
change would not make any changes to
FINRA rules.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on FINRA’s Web site at
https://www.finra.org, at the principal
office of FINRA 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,
FINRA 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
15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
1
19 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
20 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
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17:01 Apr 29, 2015
2
21 17
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PO 00000
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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E:\FR\FM\30APN1.SGM
30APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24300-24302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10038]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-74804; File No. SR-ISE-2015-15]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change To Amend the Schedule of Fees
April 24, 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 April 10, 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The ISE proposes to amend the Schedule of Fees as described in more
detail below. 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.
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 self-regulatory organization
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 self-regulatory organization
has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B and C below, of the
most significant aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend the Schedule of
Fees as described in more detail below.
1. Market Maker Fees & Tier Discounts
The Exchange charges a taker fee for regular orders in Select
Symbols \3\ that is $0.42 per contract for Market Maker \4\ orders,
including Market Maker Plus \5\ orders, $0.45 per contract for Non-ISE
Market Maker,\6\ Firm Proprietary \7\/Broker-Dealer,\8\ and
Professional Customer \9\ orders, and $0.30 per contract for Priority
Customer \10\ orders. The Exchange now proposes to increase this taker
fee to $0.44 per contract for Market Maker orders, including Market
Maker Plus orders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ ``Select Symbols'' are options overlying all symbols listed
on the ISE that are in the Penny Pilot Program.
\4\ The term ``Market Makers'' refers to ``Competitive Market
Makers'' and ``Primary Market Makers'' collectively. See ISE Rule
100(a)(25).
\5\ A Market Maker Plus is a Market Maker who is on the National
Best Bid or National Best Offer at least 80% of the time for series
trading between $0.03 and $3.00 (for options whose underlying
stock's previous trading day's last sale price was less than or
equal to $100) and between $0.10 and $3.00 (for options whose
underlying stock's previous trading day's last sale price was
greater than $100) in premium in each of the front two expiration
months. A Market Maker's single best and single worst quoting days
each month based on the front two expiration months, on a per symbol
basis, will be excluded in calculating whether a Market Maker
qualifies for this rebate, if doing so will qualify a Market Maker
for the rebate.
\6\ A ``Non-ISE Market Maker'' is a market maker as defined in
Section 3(a)(38) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
registered in the same options class on another options exchange.
\7\ A ``Firm Proprietary'' order is an order submitted by a
member for its own proprietary account.
\8\ A ``Broker-Dealer'' order is an order submitted by a member
for a broker-dealer account that is not its own proprietary account.
\9\ A ``Professional Customer'' is a person or entity that is
not a broker/dealer and is not a Priority Customer.
\10\ A ``Priority Customer'' is a person or entity that is not a
broker/dealer in securities, and does not place more than 390 orders
in listed options per day on average during a calendar month for its
own beneficial account(s), as defined in ISE Rule 100(a)(37A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange also charges Market Makers a maker/taker fee and a fee
for Crossing Orders \11\ that is $0.22 per contract for regular orders
in Non-Select Symbols \12\ as well as regular and complex orders in
Foreign Currency (``FX'') Option Symbols.\13\ In addition, Market
Makers that execute a monthly volume of 250,000 contracts or more are
entitled to a discounted rate of $0.15 per contract (together, ``Market
Maker Discount Tiers''). The Exchange now proposes to increase these
fees. In particular, applicable Market Maker orders will now be charged
a fee of $0.25 per contract, subject to a discounted rate of $0.20 per
contract for Market Makers that meet the volume threshold described
above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ The fee for Crossing Orders applies to Crossing Orders
other than PIM orders of 100 or fewer contracts, which are billed
separately.
\12\ ``Non-Select Symbols'' are options overlying all symbols
excluding Select Symbols.
\13\ Fees in FX options do not apply to Early Adopter Market
Makers. Market Maker orders sent by an Electronic Access Member
(``EAM'') are charged separately.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Fees for Firm Proprietary/Broker-Dealer, Non-ISE Market Maker, &
Professional Customer Orders
The Exchange also charges a maker/taker fee for regular orders in
Non-Select Symbols as well as regular and complex orders in FX Option
Symbols that is $0.30 per contract for Firm Proprietary/Broker-Dealer,
and Professional Customer orders, and $0.45 per contract for Non-ISE
Market Maker orders. The Exchange now proposes to increase fees for
each of these market participants to $0.50 per contract.
3. Complex Order Maker Fees
The Exchange charges a maker fee for complex orders in Non-Select
Symbols that is $0.10 per contract for Market Maker, Firm Proprietary/
Broker-Dealer, and Professional Customer orders, and $0.20 per contract
for Non-ISE Market Maker orders, in each case when trading against
other non-Priority Customer orders. The Exchange now proposes to
increase this maker fee to $0.20 per contract for Market Maker, Firm
Proprietary/Broker-Dealer, and Professional Customer orders, in line
with the current fees charged for Non-ISE Market Maker orders.
[[Page 24301]]
The Exchange also charges a uniform maker fee of $0.43 per contract
for non-Priority Customer orders that trade against Priority Customer
orders in Complex Quoting Symbols,\14\ i.e., symbols in which Market
Makers can enter quotes in the complex order book. In addition, Market
Makers receive a discount of $0.02 per contract in Complex Quoting
Symbols when trading against Priority Customer orders preferenced to
them in the complex order book. The Exchange now proposes to eliminate
these special fees applicable to Complex Quoting Symbols. As such, Non-
Priority Customer orders in Complex Quoting Symbols will now be charged
applicable maker fee for Select Symbols when trading against Priority
Customer orders. This fee is $0.44 per contract for Non-ISE Market
Maker, Firm Proprietary/Broker-Dealer and Professional Customer orders,
and $0.43 per contract (subject to a preference discount) for Market
Maker orders.
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\14\ The Complex Quoting Symbols are AA, ABX, EFA, GLD, MSFT,
MU, NVDA, VXX, VZ, WFC, XLB and XOP.
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4. Fee for Responses to Crossing Orders
The Exchange charges all market participants a fee for responses to
Crossing Orders that is $0.45 per contract for regular and complex
orders in Select Symbols and FX Option Symbols,\15\ as well as regular
orders in Non-Select Symbols. The Exchange now proposes to increase
this response fee to $0.47 per contract. The Exchange is not proposing
any changes to the response fees for complex orders in Non-Select
Symbols, which will continue to be charged at a rate of $0.90 per
contract for Market Maker orders, and $0.95 per contract for all other
market participants.
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\15\ The Exchange notes that Early Adopter Market Makers in FX
option classes are not charged a fee for responses to Crossing
Orders. The Exchange is not proposing any changes to response fees
for Early Adopter Market Makers.
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2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,\16\ in general, and
Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,\17\ in particular, in that it is designed
to provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and
other charges among its members and other persons using its facilities.
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\16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
\17\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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1. Market Maker Fees & Tier Discounts
The Exchange believes that it is reasonable and equitable to
increase Market Maker fees (including applicable Market Maker Discount
Tiers) as the proposed fees are designed to continue to be attractive
to Market Makers that trade on ISE, and are within the range of fees
charged by other options exchanges. Furthermore, the Exchange notes
that while it is increasing Market Maker fees, Market Makers will
continue to be charged fees that are generally lower than the fees
applicable to other market participants, except for Priority Customers.
The Exchange does not believe that it is unfairly discriminatory to
provide lower fees to Market Maker orders as Market Makers are subject
to additional requirements and obligations (such as quoting
requirements) that other market participants are not.
2. Fees for Firm Proprietary/Broker-Dealer, Non-ISE Market Maker, &
Professional Customer Orders
The Exchange believes that it is reasonable and equitable to
increase the fees charged to Firm Proprietary/Broker-Dealer, Non-ISE
Market Maker, and Professional Customer orders as the proposed fees are
designed to be attractive to market participants that choose to bring
order flow to the ISE, and remain well within the range of fees charged
by some of the Exchange's competitors. Furthermore, the Exchange does
not believe that the proposed fees are unfairly discriminatory as the
fees would apply to equally to Non-ISE Market Maker, Firm Proprietary/
Broker-Dealer, and Professional Customer orders. In connection with
this proposed change, the Exchange notes that fees charged to Market
Maker orders are also increasing (see above) but will remain lower than
the fees described here for Firm Proprietary/Broker-Dealer, Non-ISE
Market Maker, and Professional Customer orders. The Exchange does not
believe that this is unfairly discriminatory for the reasons already
discussed.
3. Complex Order Maker Fees
The Exchange believes that the proposed change to increase complex
order maker fees is reasonable and equitable as the proposed fees are
set at levels that the Exchange believes will continue be attractive to
market participants that provide liquidity in complex orders, and are
within the range of fees charged by other options exchanges. Moreover,
with the proposed change, Market Maker, Firm Proprietary/Broker-Dealer,
and Professional Customer complex orders in Non-Select Symbols will now
be charged the same maker fee as is currently applicable to Non-ISE
Market Maker complex orders. As the proposed fees will be applied
equally to all market participants that trade complex orders in these
symbols, the Exchange further believes that this proposed change is not
unfairly discriminatory. In addition, the Exchange believes that it is
reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly discriminatory to eliminate
special fees for Complex Quoting Symbols, as the Exchange believes that
these fee discounts are no longer needed to attract liquidity in these
symbols. Furthermore, the Exchange believes that it is not unfairly
discriminatory to eliminate this distinction for Complex Quoting
Symbols, as members will now be charged the standard maker fee for all
complex orders in Select Symbols, including the Complex Quoting
Symbols.
4. Fee for Responses to Crossing Orders
The Exchange believes that the proposed fees for responses to
Crossing Orders, which are being increased slightly, are appropriate to
attract price improvement for Crossing Orders submitted to ISE, and
therefore qualify as reasonable and equitable. In this regard, the
Exchange notes that other options exchanges charge various fees for
responses to Crossing Orders, and the fees proposed here are within the
range of fees charged by these competitor markets. Additionally, the
Exchange believes that the proposed response fees are not unfairly
discriminatory as the Exchange will continue to charge a uniform
response fee that is applicable to all market participants that respond
to Crossing Orders in affected symbols. As is the case today, responses
to Crossing Orders will be charged a higher fee than contra-side orders
submitted as part of a crossing transaction. The Exchange continues to
believe that this is reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly
discriminatory as contra-side orders guarantee the agency order, and
are subject to market risk during the time period that the agency order
is exposed to other market participants for potential price
improvement. Finally, the Exchange notes that it will continue to
charge a higher fee for responses to complex Crossing Orders in Non-
Select symbols, which reflects the higher fees and rebates generally
applicable to complex orders in these symbols.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
In accordance with Section 6(b)(8) of the Act,\18\ the Exchange
does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden
on intermarket or
[[Page 24302]]
intramarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange believes that the
proposed fees and rebates are competitive with fees and rebates offered
to orders executed on other options exchanges. The Exchange operates in
a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily
direct their order flow to competing venues. In such an environment,
the Exchange must continually review, and consider adjusting, its fees
and rebates to remain competitive with other exchanges. For the reasons
described above, the Exchange believes that the proposed fee changes
reflect this competitive environment.
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\18\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
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C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit,
comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received
any unsolicited written comments from members or other interested
parties.
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 \19\ and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4
thereunder,\20\ because it establishes a due, fee, or other charge
imposed by ISE.
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\19\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
\20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to
determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposal 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 No. SR-ISE-2015-15 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549.
All submissions should refer to File No. SR-ISE-2015-15. 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 changes 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 ISE. 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 No. SR-ISE-2015-15 and should be
submitted on or before May 21, 2015.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\21\
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\21\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-10038 Filed 4-29-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P