Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Extend the Operation of Its New Market Model Pilot Until October 31, 2015, 46083-46086 [2015-18879]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 148 / Monday, August 3, 2015 / Notices it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder. A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 18 normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),19 the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange notes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange believes that waiver will ensure that member organizations and the public can continue to benefit from the pilot program without interruption after July 31, 2015. The Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposal operative upon filing.20 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 under Section 19(b)(2)(B) 21 of the Act to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comment 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: • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– NYSEMKT–2015–53 on the subject line. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Paper Comments [Release No. 34–75533; File No. SR– NYSEMKT–2015–52] • 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–NYSEMKT–2015–53. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR– NYSEMKT–2015–53, and should be submitted on or before August 24, 2015. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.22 Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Electronic Comments [FR Doc. 2015–18880 Filed 7–31–15; 8:45 am] • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 18 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 20 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). 21 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). 19 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:35 Jul 31, 2015 Jkt 235001 46083 PO 00000 Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Extend the Operation of Its New Market Model Pilot Until October 31, 2015 July 28, 2015. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that on July 17, 2015, NYSE MKT LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE MKT’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to extend the operation of its New Market Model Pilot, currently scheduled to expire on July 31, 2015, until the earlier of Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) approval to make such pilot permanent or October 31, 2015. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at www.nyse.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 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. 1 15 U.S.C.78s(b)(1). U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 2 15 22 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). Frm 00152 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1 46084 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 148 / Monday, August 3, 2015 / Notices A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to extend the operation of its New Market Model Pilot (‘‘NMM Pilot’’) that was adopted pursuant to its merger with the New York Stock Exchange LLC (‘‘NYSE’’).4 The NMM Pilot was approved to operate until October 1, 2009. The Exchange filed to extend the operation of the Pilot to November 30, 2009, March 30, 2010, September 30, 2010, January 31, 2011, August 1, 2011, January 31, 2012, July 31, 2012, January 31, 2013, July 31, 2013, January 31, 2014, July 31, 2014, December 31, 2014, and July 31, 2015, respectively.5 The Exchange now seeks 4 NYSE Euronext acquired The Amex Membership Corporation (‘‘AMC’’) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 17, 2008 (the ‘‘Merger’’). In connection with the Merger, the Exchange’s predecessor, the American Stock Exchange LLC (‘‘Amex’’), a subsidiary of AMC, became a subsidiary of NYSE Euronext called NYSE Alternext US LLC. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58673 (September 29, 2008), 73 FR 57707 (October 3, 2008) (SR–NYSE–2008–60 and SR–Amex–2008–62) (approving the Merger); see also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 58705 (Oct. 1, 2008), 73 FR 58995 (Oct. 8, 2008) (approving adoption of equities rules based on those of NYSE) and 59022 (Nov. 26, 2008), 73 FR 73683 (Dec. 3, 2008) (amending equity rules to conform to NYSE NMM Pilot rules). Subsequently, NYSE Alternext US LLC was renamed NYSE Amex LLC, which was then renamed NYSE MKT LLC and continues to operate as a national securities exchange registered under section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the ‘‘Act’’). See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 59575 (March 13, 2009), 74 FR 11803 (March 19, 2009) (SR–NYSEALTR–2009–24) and 67037 (May 21, 2012), 77 FR 31415 (May 25, 2012) (SR– NYSEAmex–2012–32). 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60758 (October 1, 2009), 74 FR 51639 (October 7, 2009) (SR–NYSEAmex–2009–65). See also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 61030 (November 19, 2009), 74 FR 62365 (November 27, 2009) (SR– NYSEAmex–2009–83) (extending Pilot to March 30, 2010); 61725 (March 17, 2010), 75 FR 14223 (March 24, 2010) (SR–NYSEAmex–2010–28) (extending Pilot to September 30, 2010); 62820 (September 1, 2010), 75 FR 54935 (September 9, 2010) (SR– NYSEAmex–2010–86) (extending Pilot to January 31, 2011); 63615 (December 29, 2010), 76 FR 611 (January 5, 2011) (SR–NYSEAmex–2010–123) (extending Pilot to August 1, 2011); 64773 (June 29, 2011), 76 FR 39453 (July 6, 2011) (SR–NYSEAmex– 2011–43) (extending Pilot to January 31, 2012); 66042 (December 23, 2011), 76 FR 82326 (December 30, 2011) (SR–NYSEAmex–2011–102) (extending Pilot to July 31, 2012); 67495 (July 25, 2012), 77 FR 45406 (July 31, 2012) (SR–NYSEMKT–2012–21) (extending the Pilot to January 31, 2013); 68559 (January 2, 2013), 78 FR 1286 (January 8, 2013) (SR– NYSEMKT–2012–84) (extending Pilot to July 31, 2013); 69812 (June 20, 2013), 78 FR 38766 (June 27, 2013) (SR–NYSEMKT–2013–51) (extending Pilot to January 31, 2014); 71342 (January 17, 2014), 79 FR 4197 (January 24, 2014) (SR–NYSEMKT–2014–02) (extending Pilot to July 31, 2014); 72622 (July 16, 2014), 79 FR 42600 (July 22, 2014) (SR–NYSEMKT– 2014–57) (extending Pilot to December 31, 2014); and 73946 (December 24, 2014), 80 FR 60 (January VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:35 Jul 31, 2015 Jkt 235001 to extend the operation of the NMM Pilot, currently scheduled to expire on July 31, 2015, until the earlier of Commission approval to make such pilot permanent or October 31, 2015. Background 6 In December 2008, the Exchange implemented significant changes to its equities market rules, execution technology and the rights and obligations of its equities market participants all of which were designed to improve execution quality on the Exchange. These changes are all elements of the Exchange’s enhanced market model that it implemented through the NMM Pilot. As part of the NMM Pilot, the Exchange eliminated the function of equity specialists on the Exchange creating a new category of market participant, the Designated Market Maker or DMM.7 The DMMs, like specialists, have affirmative obligations to make an orderly market, including continuous quoting requirements and obligations to re-enter the market when reaching across to execute against trading interest. Unlike specialists, DMMs have a minimum quoting requirement 8 in their assigned securities and no longer have a negative obligation. DMMs are also no longer agents for public customer orders.9 In addition, the Exchange implemented a system change that allowed DMMs to create a schedule of additional non-displayed liquidity at various price points where the DMM is willing to interact with interest and provide price improvement to orders in the Exchange’s system. This schedule is known as the DMM Capital Commitment Schedule (‘‘CCS’’).10 CCS provides the Display Book® 11 with the amount of shares that the DMM is willing to trade at price points outside, 2, 2015) (SR–NYSEMKT–2014–109) (extending Pilot to July 31, 2015). 6 The information contained herein is a summary of the NMM Pilot. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58845 (October 24, 2008), 73 FR 64379 (October 29, 2008) (SR–NYSE–2008–46) for a fuller description. 7 See NYSE MKT Rule 103—Equities. 8 See NYSE MKT Rule 104—Equities. 9 See NYSE MKT Rule 60—Equities; see also NYSE MKT Rules 104—Equities and 1000— Equities. 10 See NYSE MKT Rule 1000—Equities. 11 The Display Book system is an order management and execution facility. The Display Book system receives and displays orders to the DMMs, contains the order information, and provides a mechanism to execute and report transactions and publish the results to the Consolidated Tape. The Display Book system is connected to a number of other Exchange systems for the purposes of comparison, surveillance, and reporting information to customers and other market data and national market systems. PO 00000 Frm 00153 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 at and inside the Exchange Best Bid or Best Offer (‘‘BBO’’). CCS interest is separate and distinct from other DMM interest in that it serves as the interest of last resort. The NMM Pilot further modified the logic for allocating executed shares among market participants having trading interest at a price point upon execution of incoming orders. The modified logic rewards displayed orders that establish the Exchange’s BBO. During the operation of the NMM Pilot, orders or portions thereof that establish priority 12 retain that priority until the portion of the order that established priority is exhausted. Where no one order has established priority, shares are distributed among all market participants on parity. The NMM Pilot was originally scheduled to end operation on October 1, 2009, or such earlier time as the Commission may determine to make the rules permanent. The Exchange filed to extend the operation of the Pilot on several occasions 13 in order to prepare a rule filing seeking permission to make the above described changes permanent. The Exchange is currently still preparing such formal submission but does not expect that filing to be completed and approved by the Commission before July 31, 2015.14 Proposal To Extend the Operation of the NMM Pilot The Exchange established the NMM Pilot to provide incentives for quoting, to enhance competition among the existing group of liquidity providers and to add a new competitive market participant. The Exchange believes that the NMM Pilot allows the Exchange to provide its market participants with a trading venue that utilizes an enhanced market structure to encourage the addition of liquidity, facilitate the trading of larger orders more efficiently and operates to reward aggressive liquidity providers. As such, the Exchange believes that the rules governing the NMM Pilot should be made permanent. Through this filing the Exchange seeks to extend the current operation of the NMM Pilot until October 31, 2015, in order to allow the Exchange time to formally submit a filing to the Commission to convert the pilot rules to permanent rules. The proposed change is not otherwise intended to address any other issues 12 See NYSE MKT Rule 72(a)(ii)—Equities. supra note 5. 14 The NYSE has submitted a proposed rule change to make the NYSE NMM Pilot permanent. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75153 (June 11, 2015), 80 FR 34717 (June 17, 2015) (SR– NYSE–2015–26). 13 See E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 148 / Monday, August 3, 2015 / Notices and the Exchange is not aware of any problems that member organizations would have in complying with the proposed change. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act,15 in general, and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(5) of the Act,16 in particular, because 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 regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanisms of, a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest and because it is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices and to promote just and equitable principles of trade because it seeks to extend a pilot program that has already been approved by the Commission. The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is designed to facilitate transactions in securities and to remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanisms of, a free and open market and a national market system because the NMM Pilot provides its market participants with a trading venue that utilizes an enhanced market structure to encourage the addition of liquidity, facilitate the trading of larger orders more efficiently and operates to reward aggressive liquidity providers. Moreover, requesting an extension of the NMM Pilot will permit adequate time for: (i) The Exchange to prepare and submit a filing to make the rules governing the NMM Pilot permanent; (ii) public notice and comment; and (iii) completion of the 19b–4 approval process. Finally, the Exchange believes that it is subject to significant competitive forces, as described below in the Exchange’s statement regarding the burden on competition. For these reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the Act. In accordance with section 6(b)(8) of the Act,17 the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change would not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange believes that extending the operation of the NMM Pilot will enhance competition among liquidity providers and thereby improve execution quality on the Exchange. The Exchange will continue to monitor the efficacy of the program during the proposed extended pilot period. Finally, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually review, and consider adjusting the services it offers and the requirements it imposes to remain competitive with other U.S. equity exchanges. For the reasons described above, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change reflects this competitive environment. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change. 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)(iii) of the Act 18 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.19 Because the 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 prior to 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder. A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 20 normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, pursuant 17 15 15 15 16 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8). 18 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). 19 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 20 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:35 Jul 31, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00154 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 46085 to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),21 the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange notes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange believes that waiver will ensure that member organizations and the public can continue to benefit from the pilot program without interruption after July 31, 2015. The Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposal operative upon filing.22 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 under section 19(b)(2)(B) 23 of the Act to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– NYSEMKT–2015–52 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NYSEMKT–2015–52. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your 21 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 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). 23 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). 22 For E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1 46086 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 148 / Monday, August 3, 2015 / Notices comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SRNYSEMKT–2015–52, and should be submitted on or before August 24, 2015. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.24 Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–18879 Filed 7–31–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 9210] mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Determination Under Section 610 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, As Amended Pursuant to the authority vested in me by section 610 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (the ‘‘Act’’), and the President’s Memorandum of Delegation dated April 16, 2015, I hereby determine it necessary for the purposes of the Act that pursuant to the relevant authorities of the Act, the following funds be transferred to, and consolidated with, funds made available under chapter 4 of part II of the Act, and such funds are hereby so transferred and consolidated: • $12,150,000 of Fiscal Year 2014 funds from the Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related 24 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:35 Jul 31, 2015 Jkt 235001 Programs account to the Economic Support Fund account. This determination shall be reported to Congress and published in the Federal Register. Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267–3577; email lynne.pickard@faa.gov SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: John F. Kerry, Secretary of State. Background [FR Doc. 2015–18954 Filed 7–31–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–AD–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration [Docket No. FAA–2014–0510] Implementation of Legislative Categorical Exclusion for Environmental Review of Performance Based Navigation Procedures Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation. ACTION: Final Notice to Announce Implementation of Section 213(c)(2) CATEX and Disposition of Public Comments. AGENCY: On August 19, 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published in the Federal Register [79 FR 49141–49144] a notice regarding the FAA’s consideration of how to implement Section 213(c)(2) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Section 213(c)(2) directs the FAA to issue and file a categorical exclusion for any navigation performance or other performance based navigation procedure that would result in measureable reductions in fuel consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and noise on a per flight basis as compared to aircraft operations that follow existing instrument flight rule procedures in the same airspace. To inform the FAA’s consideration of interpretative guidance regarding Section 213(c)(2), the FAA’s August 19 notice requested public comment on a Net Noise Reduction Method recommended by the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC) and possible variations on this method. The FAA has reviewed and considered all comments and has decided to issue interpretative guidance to implement Section 213(c)(2) using the Net Noise Reduction Method with two variations to the NAC’s recommendation, as described in this final notice. DATES: The effective date of this implementation will be the date the FAA issues the interpretative guidance. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne S. Pickard, Senior Advisor for Environmental Policy, Office of Environment and Energy (AEE–6), SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00155 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) establishes a broad national policy to protect the quality of the human environment and to ensure that environmental considerations are given careful attention and appropriate weight in decisions of the Federal Government. Regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) (40 CFR parts 1500–1508) to implement NEPA establish three levels of environmental review for federal actions. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is the detailed written statement as required by section 102(2)(C) of NEPA, and is prepared for those actions when one or more environmental impacts are potentially significant and mitigation measures cannot reduce the impact(s) below significant levels. 40 CFR 1508.11. An environmental assessment (EA) is a more concise document that provides a basis for determining whether to prepare an environmental impact statement or a finding of no significant impact. 40 CFR 1508.9. A categorical exclusion (CATEX) is used for actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. 40 CFR 1508.4. A CATEX is not an exemption or waiver of NEPA review; it is a level of NEPA review. CEQ regulations require agency procedures to identify classes of actions which normally require an EIS or an EA, as well as those actions which normally do not require either an EIS or an EA (i.e., a CATEX). 40 CFR 1507.3(b). In addition to identifying actions that normally are CATEXed, an agency’s procedures must also provide for extraordinary circumstances in which a normally excluded action may have a significant environmental effect which would preclude the use of a CATEX. 40 CFR 1508.4. The FAA has adopted policy and procedures for compliance with NEPA and CEQ’s implementing regulations in Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, dated July 16, 2015 [80 Federal Register 44207, July 24, 2015]. Order 1050.1F lists FAA actions subject to a CATEX in accordance with CEQ regulations, including CATEXs for FAA actions involving establishment, modification, or application of airspace and air traffic procedures. E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 148 (Monday, August 3, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46083-46086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18879]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-75533; File No. SR-NYSEMKT-2015-52]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and 
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Extend the Operation of 
Its New Market Model Pilot Until October 31, 2015

July 28, 2015.
    Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (the ``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby 
given that on July 17, 2015, NYSE MKT LLC (the ``Exchange'' or ``NYSE 
MKT'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II 
below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory 
organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C.78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to extend the operation of its New Market 
Model Pilot, currently scheduled to expire on July 31, 2015, until the 
earlier of Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') approval 
to make such pilot permanent or October 31, 2015. The text of the 
proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at 
www.nyse.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 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.

[[Page 46084]]

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to extend the operation of its New Market 
Model Pilot (``NMM Pilot'') that was adopted pursuant to its merger 
with the New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'').\4\ The NMM Pilot was 
approved to operate until October 1, 2009. The Exchange filed to extend 
the operation of the Pilot to November 30, 2009, March 30, 2010, 
September 30, 2010, January 31, 2011, August 1, 2011, January 31, 2012, 
July 31, 2012, January 31, 2013, July 31, 2013, January 31, 2014, July 
31, 2014, December 31, 2014, and July 31, 2015, respectively.\5\ The 
Exchange now seeks to extend the operation of the NMM Pilot, currently 
scheduled to expire on July 31, 2015, until the earlier of Commission 
approval to make such pilot permanent or October 31, 2015.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ NYSE Euronext acquired The Amex Membership Corporation 
(``AMC'') pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 
17, 2008 (the ``Merger''). In connection with the Merger, the 
Exchange's predecessor, the American Stock Exchange LLC (``Amex''), 
a subsidiary of AMC, became a subsidiary of NYSE Euronext called 
NYSE Alternext US LLC. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58673 
(September 29, 2008), 73 FR 57707 (October 3, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-60 
and SR-Amex-2008-62) (approving the Merger); see also Securities 
Exchange Act Release Nos. 58705 (Oct. 1, 2008), 73 FR 58995 (Oct. 8, 
2008) (approving adoption of equities rules based on those of NYSE) 
and 59022 (Nov. 26, 2008), 73 FR 73683 (Dec. 3, 2008) (amending 
equity rules to conform to NYSE NMM Pilot rules). Subsequently, NYSE 
Alternext US LLC was renamed NYSE Amex LLC, which was then renamed 
NYSE MKT LLC and continues to operate as a national securities 
exchange registered under section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934, as amended (the ``Act''). See Securities Exchange Act 
Release Nos. 59575 (March 13, 2009), 74 FR 11803 (March 19, 2009) 
(SR-NYSEALTR-2009-24) and 67037 (May 21, 2012), 77 FR 31415 (May 25, 
2012) (SR-NYSEAmex-2012-32).
    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60758 (October 1, 
2009), 74 FR 51639 (October 7, 2009) (SR-NYSEAmex-2009-65). See also 
Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 61030 (November 19, 2009), 74 
FR 62365 (November 27, 2009) (SR-NYSEAmex-2009-83) (extending Pilot 
to March 30, 2010); 61725 (March 17, 2010), 75 FR 14223 (March 24, 
2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-28) (extending Pilot to September 30, 2010); 
62820 (September 1, 2010), 75 FR 54935 (September 9, 2010) (SR-
NYSEAmex-2010-86) (extending Pilot to January 31, 2011); 63615 
(December 29, 2010), 76 FR 611 (January 5, 2011) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-
123) (extending Pilot to August 1, 2011); 64773 (June 29, 2011), 76 
FR 39453 (July 6, 2011) (SR-NYSEAmex-2011-43) (extending Pilot to 
January 31, 2012); 66042 (December 23, 2011), 76 FR 82326 (December 
30, 2011) (SR-NYSEAmex-2011-102) (extending Pilot to July 31, 2012); 
67495 (July 25, 2012), 77 FR 45406 (July 31, 2012) (SR-NYSEMKT-2012-
21) (extending the Pilot to January 31, 2013); 68559 (January 2, 
2013), 78 FR 1286 (January 8, 2013) (SR-NYSEMKT-2012-84) (extending 
Pilot to July 31, 2013); 69812 (June 20, 2013), 78 FR 38766 (June 
27, 2013) (SR-NYSEMKT-2013-51) (extending Pilot to January 31, 
2014); 71342 (January 17, 2014), 79 FR 4197 (January 24, 2014) (SR-
NYSEMKT-2014-02) (extending Pilot to July 31, 2014); 72622 (July 16, 
2014), 79 FR 42600 (July 22, 2014) (SR-NYSEMKT-2014-57) (extending 
Pilot to December 31, 2014); and 73946 (December 24, 2014), 80 FR 60 
(January 2, 2015) (SR-NYSEMKT-2014-109) (extending Pilot to July 31, 
2015).
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Background \6\
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    \6\ The information contained herein is a summary of the NMM 
Pilot. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58845 (October 24, 
2008), 73 FR 64379 (October 29, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-46) for a fuller 
description.
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    In December 2008, the Exchange implemented significant changes to 
its equities market rules, execution technology and the rights and 
obligations of its equities market participants all of which were 
designed to improve execution quality on the Exchange. These changes 
are all elements of the Exchange's enhanced market model that it 
implemented through the NMM Pilot.
    As part of the NMM Pilot, the Exchange eliminated the function of 
equity specialists on the Exchange creating a new category of market 
participant, the Designated Market Maker or DMM.\7\ The DMMs, like 
specialists, have affirmative obligations to make an orderly market, 
including continuous quoting requirements and obligations to re-enter 
the market when reaching across to execute against trading interest. 
Unlike specialists, DMMs have a minimum quoting requirement \8\ in 
their assigned securities and no longer have a negative obligation. 
DMMs are also no longer agents for public customer orders.\9\
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    \7\ See NYSE MKT Rule 103--Equities.
    \8\ See NYSE MKT Rule 104--Equities.
    \9\ See NYSE MKT Rule 60--Equities; see also NYSE MKT Rules 
104--Equities and 1000--Equities.
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    In addition, the Exchange implemented a system change that allowed 
DMMs to create a schedule of additional non-displayed liquidity at 
various price points where the DMM is willing to interact with interest 
and provide price improvement to orders in the Exchange's system. This 
schedule is known as the DMM Capital Commitment Schedule (``CCS'').\10\ 
CCS provides the Display Book[supreg] \11\ with the amount of shares 
that the DMM is willing to trade at price points outside, at and inside 
the Exchange Best Bid or Best Offer (``BBO''). CCS interest is separate 
and distinct from other DMM interest in that it serves as the interest 
of last resort.
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    \10\ See NYSE MKT Rule 1000--Equities.
    \11\ The Display Book system is an order management and 
execution facility. The Display Book system receives and displays 
orders to the DMMs, contains the order information, and provides a 
mechanism to execute and report transactions and publish the results 
to the Consolidated Tape. The Display Book system is connected to a 
number of other Exchange systems for the purposes of comparison, 
surveillance, and reporting information to customers and other 
market data and national market systems.
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    The NMM Pilot further modified the logic for allocating executed 
shares among market participants having trading interest at a price 
point upon execution of incoming orders. The modified logic rewards 
displayed orders that establish the Exchange's BBO. During the 
operation of the NMM Pilot, orders or portions thereof that establish 
priority \12\ retain that priority until the portion of the order that 
established priority is exhausted. Where no one order has established 
priority, shares are distributed among all market participants on 
parity.
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    \12\ See NYSE MKT Rule 72(a)(ii)--Equities.
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    The NMM Pilot was originally scheduled to end operation on October 
1, 2009, or such earlier time as the Commission may determine to make 
the rules permanent. The Exchange filed to extend the operation of the 
Pilot on several occasions \13\ in order to prepare a rule filing 
seeking permission to make the above described changes permanent. The 
Exchange is currently still preparing such formal submission but does 
not expect that filing to be completed and approved by the Commission 
before July 31, 2015.\14\
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    \13\ See supra note 5.
    \14\ The NYSE has submitted a proposed rule change to make the 
NYSE NMM Pilot permanent. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 
75153 (June 11, 2015), 80 FR 34717 (June 17, 2015) (SR-NYSE-2015-
26).
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Proposal To Extend the Operation of the NMM Pilot
    The Exchange established the NMM Pilot to provide incentives for 
quoting, to enhance competition among the existing group of liquidity 
providers and to add a new competitive market participant. The Exchange 
believes that the NMM Pilot allows the Exchange to provide its market 
participants with a trading venue that utilizes an enhanced market 
structure to encourage the addition of liquidity, facilitate the 
trading of larger orders more efficiently and operates to reward 
aggressive liquidity providers. As such, the Exchange believes that the 
rules governing the NMM Pilot should be made permanent. Through this 
filing the Exchange seeks to extend the current operation of the NMM 
Pilot until October 31, 2015, in order to allow the Exchange time to 
formally submit a filing to the Commission to convert the pilot rules 
to permanent rules.
    The proposed change is not otherwise intended to address any other 
issues

[[Page 46085]]

and the Exchange is not aware of any problems that member organizations 
would have in complying with the proposed change.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with section 6(b) of the Act,\15\ in general, and furthers the 
objectives of section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\16\ in particular, because 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 regulating, 
clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and 
facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to, and 
perfect the mechanisms of, a free and open market and a national market 
system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest 
and because it is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between 
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is designed to 
prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices and to promote 
just and equitable principles of trade because it seeks to extend a 
pilot program that has already been approved by the Commission. The 
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is designed to facilitate 
transactions in securities and to remove impediments to, and perfect 
the mechanisms of, a free and open market and a national market system 
because the NMM Pilot provides its market participants with a trading 
venue that utilizes an enhanced market structure to encourage the 
addition of liquidity, facilitate the trading of larger orders more 
efficiently and operates to reward aggressive liquidity providers. 
Moreover, requesting an extension of the NMM Pilot will permit adequate 
time for: (i) The Exchange to prepare and submit a filing to make the 
rules governing the NMM Pilot permanent; (ii) public notice and 
comment; and (iii) completion of the 19b-4 approval process. Finally, 
the Exchange believes that it is subject to significant competitive 
forces, as described below in the Exchange's statement regarding the 
burden on competition. For these reasons, the Exchange believes that 
the proposal is consistent with the Act.

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

    In accordance with section 6(b)(8) of the Act,\17\ the Exchange 
believes that the proposed rule change would not impose any burden on 
competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the 
purposes of the Act. The Exchange believes that extending the operation 
of the NMM Pilot will enhance competition among liquidity providers and 
thereby improve execution quality on the Exchange. The Exchange will 
continue to monitor the efficacy of the program during the proposed 
extended pilot period.
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    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
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    Finally, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly 
competitive market in which market participants can readily favor 
competing venues. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually 
review, and consider adjusting the services it offers and the 
requirements it imposes to remain competitive with other U.S. equity 
exchanges. For the reasons described above, the Exchange believes that 
the proposed rule change reflects this competitive environment.

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

    No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the 
proposed rule change.

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)(iii) of the Act \18\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\19\ 
Because the 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 prior to 
30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as 
the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become 
effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.
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    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \19\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \20\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the 
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\21\ the Commission 
may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked 
the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal 
may become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange notes that 
waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest. The Exchange believes that waiver 
will ensure that member organizations and the public can continue to 
benefit from the pilot program without interruption after July 31, 
2015. The Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and 
designates the proposal operative upon filing.\22\
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    \20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \21\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \22\ 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 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 under 
section 19(b)(2)(B) \23\ of the Act to determine whether the proposed 
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
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    \23\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-NYSEMKT-2015-52 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEMKT-2015-52. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your

[[Page 46086]]

comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission 
will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent 
amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule 
change that are filed with the Commission, and all written 
communications relating to the proposed rule change between the 
Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from 
the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be 
available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission's Public 
Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official 
business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of 
the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the 
principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted 
without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying 
information from submissions. You should submit only information that 
you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to 
File Number SR- NYSEMKT-2015-52, and should be submitted on or before 
August 24, 2015.
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    \24\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\24\
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-18879 Filed 7-31-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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