Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1 Thereto, To Amend Its Rules Regarding the Auction Process for Securities Subject to an Initial Public Offering, 10345-10350 [2016-04358]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 39 / Monday, February 29, 2016 / Notices
7. Count and volume arriving of limit sell
orders priced at or above NBBO midpoint plus $0.05
8. Count and volume arriving of limit buy
orders priced at or below NBBO midpoint minus $0.05
9. Count and volume of (3–8) for cancels
10. Include: ticker, date, time at start, time
of Limit State, all data item fields in 1,
last sale prior to 15-second period (null
if no trades today), range during 15second period, last trade during 15second period
III. On May 28, 2015, Participants provided
to the SEC a supplemental joint assessment
relating to the impact of the Plan and
calibration of the Percentage Parameters as
follows:
A. Assess the statistical and economic impact
on liquidity of approaching Price Bands.
B. Assess the statistical and economic impact
of the Price Bands on erroneous trades.
C. Assess the statistical and economic impact
of the appropriateness of the Percentage
Parameters used for the Price Bands.
D. Assess whether the Limit State is the
appropriate length to allow for liquidity
replenishment when a Limit State is
reached because of a temporary liquidity
gap.
E. Evaluate concerns from the options
markets regarding the statistical and
economic impact of Limit States on
liquidity and market quality in the
options markets. (Participants that
operate options exchange should also
prepare such assessment reports.)
F. Assess whether the process for entering a
Limit State should be adjusted and
whether Straddle States are problematic.
G. Assess whether the process for exiting a
Limit State should be adjusted.
H. Assess whether the Trading Pauses are too
long or short and whether the reopening
procedures should be adjusted.
[FR Doc. 2016–04246 Filed 2–26–16; 8:45 am]
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–77222; File No. SR–BATS–
2016–17]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS
Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a
Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 1 Thereto, To Amend
Its Rules Regarding the Auction
Process for Securities Subject to an
Initial Public Offering
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
February 24, 2016.
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 February
10, 2016, BATS Exchange, Inc. (the
‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BATS’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
2 17
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:23 Feb 26, 2016
Jkt 238001
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange filed a proposal to
amend Exchange Rule 11.23 entitled
‘‘Auctions’’ to: (i) Modify the definition
of the term ‘‘Eligible Auction Order’’
under paragraph (a)(8) to refine the
types of orders that may participate in
an auction for a BATS listed corporate
security 4 in an initial public offering
(‘‘IPO’’) on the Exchange (‘‘IPO
Auction’’) and make a related change to
Exchange Rule 11.1, Hours of Trading
and Trading Days; (ii) extend the QuoteOnly Period 5 under paragraph (d)(1)(A);
(iii) state that the Quote-Only Period
may be extended in the event of an
Exchange technical or systems issue
under proposed paragraph (d)(2)(B)(iv);
and (iv) make technical changes to
paragraphs (b)(1)(A), (c)(1)(A), and
(d)(2).
The text of the proposed rule change
is available at the Exchange’s Web site
at www.batstrading.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
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
1 15
(‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed
rule change as described in Items I and
II below, which Items have been
prepared by the Exchange. On February
22, 2016, the Exchange filed
Amendment No. 1 to the proposal.3 The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change, as modified by Amendment No.
1, from interested persons.
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
3 In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange proposes to
correct a technical error regarding incorrect
terminology used in a footnote and to clarify a
sentence regarding an order with a time-in-force of
RHO that would be converted to an order with a
time-in-force of Day under the proposed rule
change.
4 A BATS listed corporate security is a security
listed on the Exchange pursuant to Chapter 14 of
the Exchange’s Rules that is not an Exchange
Traded Product (‘‘ETP’’) listed on the Exchange
pursuant to Exchange Rule 14.11. See also infra
note 7.
5 See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(17).
PO 00000
Frm 00141
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
10345
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
The Exchange proposes to amend
Exchange Rule 11.23 entitled
‘‘Auctions’’ to: (i) Modify the definition
of the term ‘‘Eligible Auction Order’’
under paragraph (a)(8) to refine the
types of orders that may participate in
an IPO Auction and make a related
change to Exchange Rule 11.1, Hours of
Trading and Trading Days; (ii) extend
the Quote-Only Period under paragraph
(d)(1)(A); (iii) state that the Quote-Only
Period may be extended in the event of
an Exchange technical or systems issue
under proposed paragraph (d)(2)(B)(iv);
and (iv) make technical changes to
paragraphs (b)(1)(A), (c)(1)(A), and
(d)(2).
Eligible Auction Orders
The Exchange proposes to refine the
types of orders that may participate in
an IPO Auction for a BATS listed
corporate security by amending the
definition of Eligible Auction Orders
under Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(8) to
either reject, convert, or ignore certain
types of orders, as set forth below. As
proposed, Limit Orders 6 and BATS
Market Orders,7 the two main types of
orders offered by the Exchange, would
be allowed to participate in an IPO
Auction for a BATS listed corporate
security. The Exchange does not
propose to amend the types of Eligible
Auction Orders that may participate in
an auction for a newly listed Exchange
Traded Product.8 The Exchange believes
refining the types of orders processed in
an IPO Auction and/or placed onto the
BATS Book 9 following such IPO
Auction would simplify and reduce the
complexity of the IPO Auction for BATS
listed corporate securities. The
Exchange believes doing so would aid
in ensuring a robust but streamlined IPO
Auction process for a newly listed
corporate securities.
Types of Orders to be Accepted or
Rejected. The term Eligible Auction
Order is currently defined under
Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(8) as any
Market-On-Open (‘‘MOO’’),10 Limit-On6 See
Exchange Rule 11.9(a)(1).
Exchange Rule 11.9(a)(2).
8 An Exchange Traded Product is a security that
is listed on the Exchange pursuant to Rule 14.11.
9 See Exchange Rule 1.5(e).
10 See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(16).
7 See
E:\FR\FM\29FEN1.SGM
29FEN1
10346
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 39 / Monday, February 29, 2016 / Notices
Open (‘‘LOO’’),11 Late-Limit-On-Open
(‘‘LLOO’’),12 Market-On-Close
(‘‘MOC’’),13 Limit-On-Close (‘‘LOC’’),14
or Late-Limit-On-Close (‘‘LLOC’’) 15
order that is entered in compliance with
its respective cutoff for an Opening or
Closing Auction,16 any Regular Hours
Only (‘‘RHO’’) 17 order prior to the
Opening Auction, any Limit or Market
Order not designated to exclusively
participate in the Closing Auction
entered during the Quote-Only Period of
an IPO Auction,18 and any Limit or
Market Order not designated to
exclusively participate in the Opening
or Closing Auction entered during the
Quote-Only Period of a Halt Auction.19
The Exchange proposes to amend the
definition of Eligible Auction Orders to
refine the types of orders that may
participate in an IPO Auction for a
BATS listed corporate security.
As is currently the case, Limit Orders
and BATS Market Orders entered during
the Quote-Only Period would be
allowed to participate in an IPO Auction
for a BATS listed corporate security
provided they do not also include one
or more of the modifiers described
below that would result in rejection.
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to
exclude under proposed subparagraph
(a)(8)(A) to Rule 11.23 the following
types of orders from participation in an
IPO Auction and to reject such orders:
Stop Orders 20 and Stop Limit Orders; 21
Pegged Orders,22 Mid-Point Peg
Orders,23 Market Maker Peg Orders 24
and Supplemental Peg Orders; 25
Minimum Quantity Orders 26 and
Discretionary Orders; 27 MOC, LOC and
LLOC orders; and orders with a time-inforce of Fill-or-Kill (‘‘FOK’’) 28 and
orders with a time-in-force of Good-’tilDay (‘‘GTD’’) with an expiration time
earlier than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.29
11 See
Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(14).
Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(12).
13 See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(15).
14 See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(13).
15 See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(11).
16 The Opening and Closing Auction processes
are described in Exchange Rules 11.23(b) and (c).
17 See Exchange Rule 11.9(b)(7).
18 See Exchange Rules 11.23(d)(1)(A).
19 Id. The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule
11.1 to make clear that it will not accept BATS
Market Orders that are not Eligible Auction Orders
prior to 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
20 See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(17).
21 See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(18).
22 See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(8).
23 See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(9).
24 See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(16).
25 See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(19).
26 See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(5).
27 See Exchange Rule 11.9(b)(10) [sic].
28 See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(6) [sic].
29 See Exchange Rule 11.9(b)(4).
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
12 See
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:23 Feb 26, 2016
Jkt 238001
Such orders entered to participate in an
IPO Auction would be rejected.
The Exchange believes it is reasonable
to reject orders with the above
characteristics from participating in the
IPO Auction because doing so will aid
in reducing systems complexity and risk
associated both with completing the IPO
Auction and with transferring any
unexecuted portion of such orders to the
BATS Book once the auction is
complete. These orders are also not
commonly utilized as compared to other
types of orders and the rejection of such
orders should not have a significant
impact on Members. In addition, the
Exchange believes these types of orders
contain certain attributes that are not
compatible with the process of an IPO
Auction. For example, Stop Orders and
Stop Limit Orders are not eligible for
execution until their stop price is
triggered by an execution, which is an
attribute that is not compatible with the
IPO Auction process, as that process
will result in the first execution for an
IPO Security. In addition, Pegged
Orders, Mid-Point Peg Orders, Market
Maker Peg Orders, and Supplemental
Peg Orders are priced in relation to the
National Best Bid or Offer (‘‘NBBO’’).
An NBBO is not established until after
the IPO Auction is complete and
secondary trading begins. Therefore, the
participation of these orders is also
incompatible with the IPO Auction
process.
The Exchange also proposes to reject
Minimum Quantity Orders and
Discretionary Orders entered to
participate in an IPO Auction. In sum,
Minimum Quantity Orders will only
execute if a minimum number of shares
can be obtained while a Discretionary
Order includes both a displayed price
and a non-displayed discretionary price.
Orders entered to participate in an IPO
Auction need to represent the full
trading interest for the security subject
to the IPO Auction because that auction
relies on matching buy and sell orders
based on their displayed price and full
displayed size. Therefore, the Exchange
believes it is reasonable to reject
Discretionary Orders and Minimum
Quantity Orders entered to participate
in the IPO Auction as these types of
orders contain variables (i.e., minimum
execution size or a non-displayed
discretionary price) that are not
compatible with the IPO Auction
process.
The Exchange also believes it is
reasonable to reject orders with a timein-force of FOK, a time-in-force of GTD
with an expiration time earlier than 4:00
p.m. Eastern Time, as well as MOC,
LOC, and LLOC orders that are entered
to participate in an IPO Auction. Orders
PO 00000
Frm 00142
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
with a time-in-force of FOK require that
they be executed in full or will be
cancelled upon receipt by the Exchange.
Orders with a time-in-force of FOK are
therefore not compatible with the IPO
Auction process as orders participating
in the IPO Auction process may not be
fully executed in the auction and
seeking to honor the intent of the
instruction would complicate the
processing of the IPO Auction. The
Exchange also believes it is reasonable
to reject GTD Orders with an expiration
time earlier than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
entered to participate in an IPO
Auction. Doing so would prevent the
possibility of entry of GTD Orders with
an expiration time either prior to,
during or immediately following the
IPO Auction, thereby reducing system
complexity associated with processing
such orders. Lastly, the Exchange also
believes it is reasonable to reject MOC,
LOC, and LLOC orders entered to
participate in an IPO Auction because
the terms of those orders require that
they participate in the Exchange’s
closing auction process. The Exchange
notes that such orders are already
excluded from an IPO Auction based on
the definition of Eligible Auction Order,
however, the Exchange believes it is
reasonable to include such orders in the
list with other rejected types of orders
to avoid potential confusion.
Types of Orders to be Converted. The
Exchange also proposes to adopt
subparagraph (a)(8)(B) to Rule 11.23,
which would set forth the types of
orders that would be converted by the
Exchange for purposes of participating
in the IPO Auction for a BATS listed
corporate security. First, orders with a
time-in-force of Immediate-or-Cancel
(‘‘IOC’’) 30 will be converted as follows:
A Market Order with a time-in-force of
IOC will be converted to a MOO and a
Limit Order with a time-in-force of IOC
will be converted to a LOO. Second,
orders with a time-in-force of RHO will
be converted to orders with a time-inforce of Day. Third, any orders eligible
to be routed will be converted to a
BATS Only Order.31 Upon completion
of the IPO Auction, any remainder not
executed in the auction will be placed
on the BATS Book, executed, cancelled
or routed away in accordance with the
converted terms of the order. Such
orders would not revert back to the
original type modifier the User included
with the order.
As stated above, the types of orders
entered to participate in the IPO
Auction that the Exchange proposes to
reject under proposed Rule
30 See
31 See
E:\FR\FM\29FEN1.SGM
Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(4).
Exchange Rule 11.9(b)(1).
29FEN1
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 39 / Monday, February 29, 2016 / Notices
11.23(a)(8)(A) are less commonly used
and the rejection of such orders should
not have a significant impact on
Members. In contrast, the types of
orders the Exchange proposes to convert
into other types of orders are more
commonly used by Members. Also, the
types of orders that the Exchange
proposes to convert to do not materially
deviate from the type of order that was
originally entered. The Exchange
believes it is reasonable to convert
rather than reject the above types of
orders because it would accommodate
those Members that have automated
their systems to send orders to the
Exchange without significantly altering
the operation of the order from what the
Member originally instructed. Such
Members may also not be able to resubmit a rejected order with the correct
modifier in time to participate in the
IPO Auction. Therefore, the Exchange is
concerned that rejecting, rather than
converting those types of orders as
proposed, would inappropriately
burden those Members and deter their
participation in an IPO Auction.
First, the Exchange believes it is
reasonable to convert Market Orders
with a time-in-force of IOC to MOOs
and Limit Orders with a time-in-force of
IOC to LOOs and notes that each of
these orders would operate in
substantially similar ways. Each of the
above orders would be eligible for
execution in the IPO Auction and any
remainder would be cancelled once the
IPO Auction is complete. Second, the
Exchange also believes that converting
the time-in-force of RHO to the time-inforce of Day is also reasonable based on
the similarity between these times-inforce. For instance, both orders with a
time-in-force of RHO and orders with a
time-in-force of Day are ineligible for
execution until the start of Regular
Trading Hours 32 at 9:30 a.m.33 and are
cancelled at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.34
By converting the order, however, the
Exchange is able to reduce the number
of types of orders that will be handled
in an IPO Auction and/or placed on the
BATS Book following such IPO
Auction. Lastly, the Exchange also
believes it is reasonable to convert
routable orders to BATS Only Orders
because there would be no other
markets to route orders to from the time
of the IPO Auction until secondary
32 See
Exchange Rule 1.5(w).
IPO Auction will only occur after 9:30 a.m.
Eastern Time.
34 The Exchange notes that any portion of a
market order with a time-in-force of RHO will be
cancelled immediately following any auction in
which it is not executed. See Exchange Rule
11.9(c)(7). The Exchange does not accept market
orders with a time-in-force of Day.
33 An
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:23 Feb 26, 2016
Jkt 238001
trading commences. Any remainder of a
routable order that is converted to a
BATS Only Order would be posted to
the BATS Book upon completion of an
IPO Auction. At that time, the Member
could cancel the order and resubmit a
routable order if such Member wished
to do so.
Modifiers to be Ignored. The Exchange
also proposes to adopt subparagraph
(a)(8)(C) to Rule 11.23, which would set
forth the modifiers on an order that has
been entered to participate in an IPO
Auction that would be ignored for
purposes of completing the IPO
Auction. Such modifiers would be
permanently ignored with respect to an
order, including after placement on the
BATS Book, unless otherwise specified
in the proposed Rule. First, as proposed,
Match Trade Prevention (‘‘MTP’’)
modifiers 35 will not be applied until the
IPO Auction is complete but will be
applied in the event any unexecuted
portion is placed on the BATS Book.
Pursuant to Rule 11.9(f), any incoming
order designated with an MTP modifier
will normally be prevented from
executing against a resting opposite side
order also designated with an MTP
modifier and originating from the same
User. However, during an IPO Auction
the MTP Modifier would be ignored and
such orders may be matched against
each other. Upon completion of the IPO
Auction, an MTP modifier will be
recognized and any remainder not
executed in the auction will be placed
on the BATS Book and executed or
cancelled in accordance with the
original MTP modifier appended to the
order. The Exchange believes it is
reasonable to ignore an MTP modifier
during the IPO Auction as preventing
such a Member’s orders from executing
against each other during an IPO
Auction would add unnecessary
complexity. Most Members that utilize
MTP modifiers have configured their
connectivity to the Exchange to add the
MTP Modifier to all of their orders. If
the Exchange were to reject orders with
a MTP modifier it would impose an
inappropriate burden on Members who
utilize such modifiers, thereby
impairing their ability to participate in
the IPO Auction. The Exchange notes
that any remainder not executed in the
IPO Auction will be executed or
cancelled in accordance with the
original MTP modifier.
Second, an instruction to treat an
order as an Attributable Order will be
ignored, meaning that any such order’s
execution will be displayed
35 See
PO 00000
anonymously.36 The Exchange believes
it is reasonable to ignore such
instructions as orders entered into an
IPO Auction as not displayed
individually but instead as aggregated
interest in the Exchange’s data feeds.
Third, an ISO instruction or a Post
Only instruction included with a Limit
Order will also be ignored during the
IPO Auction. The Exchange believes it
is reasonable to ignore an ISO
instruction are such instructions are
incompatible with an IPO Auction. For
instance, an ISO instruction informs the
Exchange that the sender
simultaneously routed one or more
additional limit orders, as necessary, to
execute against the full displayed size of
any protected bid or offer with a price
that is superior to the limit price of the
limit order identified as an ISO. The
Exchange is the sole market for a
security subject to an IPO Auction up
until the time secondary trading
commences and the ISO designation is
therefore incompatible with the IPO
Auction. Similarly, BATS Post Only
Order is an order that instructs the
Exchange not to remove liquidity from
the BATS Book, provided that BATS
Post Only Orders do remove liquidity
under certain circumstances outlined in
Rule 11.9(c)(6). In an IPO Auction,
orders are matched and there is no true
‘‘adder’’ or ‘‘remover’’ of liquidity.
Accordingly, a Post Only instruction is
incompatible with the IPO Auction. In
contrast to orders under proposed Rule
11.23(a)(8)(A) discussed above, which
the Exchange proposes to reject, the
Exchange believes that it is reasonable
to ignore an ISO instruction or a Post
Only instruction on an order rather than
to reject such orders because such
orders are sufficiently common and may
require additional programming by
Members in order to avoid sending such
instructions solely for an IPO Auction.
Lastly, the Maximum Remove
Percentage of a Partial Post Only at
Limit Order 37 as well as the
replenishment range of a Reserve Order
with a Random Replenishment
instruction will be ignored during the
IPO Auction.38 The Exchange also
36 See also Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’)
Rule 4753(b)(4) (stating that orders executed as part
of the Nasdaq Halt Cross shall be trade reported
anonymously).
37 See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(7). In sum, the
Maximum Remove Percentage enables a User to
enter a Partial Post Only at Limit Order instructing
the Exchange to also remove liquidity from the
BATS Book at the order’s limit price up to a
designated percentage of the remaining size of the
order after any execution pursuant to paragraph (A)
of Rule 11.9(c)(7). See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(7)(B).
38 Random Replenishment is an instruction that a
User may attach to an order with Reserve Quantity
Exchange Rule 11.9(f).
Frm 00143
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
10347
Continued
E:\FR\FM\29FEN1.SGM
29FEN1
10348
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 39 / Monday, February 29, 2016 / Notices
believes it is reasonable to ignore these
order instructions for the same reason it
proposes to reject Discretionary Orders
and Minimum Quantity Order under
proposed Rule 11.23(a)(8)(A) discussed
above. Orders entered to participate in
an IPO Auction need to represent the
full trading interest for the security
subject to the IPO Auction because that
auction relies on matching buy and sell
orders based on their displayed prices
and full displayed size. Therefore, the
Exchange believes it is reasonable to
ignore the Maximum Remove
Percentage of a Partial Post Only at
Limit Order and the replenishment
range of a Reserve Order with a Random
Replenishment instruction entered to
participate in the IPO Auction as these
types of order instructions contain
variables (i.e., maximum remove
requirements or non-displayed size) that
are not compatible with the IPO Auction
process. In contrast to Discretionary
Orders and Minimum Quantity Orders
under proposed Rule 11.23(a)(8)(A)
discussed above, which the Exchange
proposes to reject, the Exchange
believes that it is reasonable to ignore
the Maximum Remove Percentage of a
Partial Post Only at Limit Order and the
replenishment range of a Reserve Order
with a Random Replenishment
instruction rather than to reject such
orders because such orders can still be
handled consistent with the overall
intent of the order.
With the exception of MTP modifiers
discussed above, all modifiers listed
under proposed Rule 11.23(a)(8)(C) will
not be further considered with respect
to an order upon completion of the IPO
Auction. Any remainder not executed in
the auction will be placed on the BATS
Book, executed, cancelled or routed
away in accordance with the modified
terms of the order.
Extension of Quote-Only Period
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
The Exchange proposes to extend the
Quote-Only Period for an IPO Auction
under Exchange Rule 11.23(d)(1)(A).
The Quote-Only Period is the
designated period of time prior to a Halt
Auction, a Volatility Closing Auction, or
an IPO Auction during which Users may
where replenishment quantities for the order are
randomly determined by the System within a
replenishment range established by the User. In
particular, the User entering an order into the
System subject to the Random Replenishment
instruction must select a replenishment value and
a Max Floor. The initial Display Quantity will be
the Max Floor. The Display Quantity of an order
when replenished will be determined by the System
randomly selecting a round lot number of shares
within a replenishment range that is between: (i)
the Max Floor minus the replenishment value; and
(ii) the Max Floor plus the replenishment value. See
Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(1)(A).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:23 Feb 26, 2016
Jkt 238001
submit orders to the Exchange for
participation in the auction.39 With
regard to an IPO Auction, the QuoteOnly Period currently begins fifteen (15)
minutes plus a short random period
prior to such Auction.40 The Exchange
proposes to amend Rule 11.23(d)(1)(A)
to extend the Quote-Only Period for an
ETP such that it commences at 8:00
a.m., which is the beginning of the
Exchange’s Pre-Opening Session. With
regard to an ETP, the Exchange does not
believe that there is reason to restrict
quoting in such products to a specified
amount of time prior to the auction and
that additional time is warranted. In
particular, the Exchange believes that
allowing a longer Quote-Only Period
will encourage the entry of orders prior
to an IPO Auction for a newly issued
ETP, which typically have low
participation rates especially when
compared to IPO Auctions for corporate
securities. Further, while an IPO
Auction for a corporate security is
typically conducted at least 30 minutes
after the commencement of Regular
Trading Hours, an IPO Auction for a
newly issued ETP is typically
conducted at the beginning of Regular
Trading Hours (i.e., 9:30 Eastern Time),
and thus may not afford much time for
participants to enter orders prior to such
auction. For these reasons, the Exchange
believes that a longer Quote-Only Period
for ETPs is warranted.
The Exchange proposes to extend the
Quote-Only Period for a BATS listed
corporate security to begin at a time
announced in advance by the Exchange
that shall be between fifteen (15) and
thirty (30) minutes plus a short random
period prior to such IPO Auction. The
Exchange believes that extending the
Quote-Only period as proposed is
reasonable as it would provide market
participants more time to enter orders to
participate in the IPO Auction.
Extension of the Quote-Only Period
would also enable the underwriters
more time to evaluate the scope of
demand for, and supply of, the security
subject to the IPO Auction (‘‘IPO
Security’’), in a manner that will allow
it to make more informed decisions
about the appropriate time to initiate the
opening of the IPO Security through the
IPO Auction. The Exchange would
determine the length of time of the
Quote-Only Period for a BATS listed
corporate security (i.e., what time
between fifteen (15) and thirty (30)
minutes) in consultation with the issuer
of the IPO security and would announce
the length of time for the Quote-Only
39 See
40 See
PO 00000
Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(17).
Exchange Rule 11.23(d)(1)(A).
Frm 00144
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Period in advance of the
commencement of such period.41
(a) [sic] Currently, the Exchange may
extend the Quote-Only Period under
Rule 11.23(d)(2)(B) for an IPO Auction
beyond the above timeframes where: (i)
There are unmatched Market Orders on
the Auction Book; (ii) the underwriter
requests an extension; or (iii) where the
Indicative Price moves the greater of
10% or fifty (50) cents in the fifteen (15)
seconds prior to the auction. The
Exchange proposes to amend Rule
11.23(d)(2)(B) to enable it to also extend
the Quote-Only Period in the event of a
technical or systems issue at the
Exchange that may impair the ability of
Users to participate in the IPO Auction
or of the Exchange to complete the IPO
Auction. The Exchange believes it is
reasonable to be able to extend the
Quote-Only Period in the event of a
technical or systems issue at the
Exchange as such an issue may prevent
market participants from entering orders
during the Quote-Only Period, resulting
in less liquidity which may prevent the
underwriters from adequately accessing
the trading interest of the IPO Security.
In such case, the Exchange believes it is
reasonable to extend the Quote-Only
Period in the event of a technical or
systems issue to provide market
participants the adequate time to enter
orders to participate in the IPO auction.
The Exchange also proposes to adopt
paragraph (C) to codify its intention to
notify market participants regarding
extensions to the Quote-Only Period. As
proposed, the Exchange will notify
market participants in the event of any
extension to the Quote-Only Period
pursuant to paragraph (B), including
details regarding the circumstances and
length of the extension.42 In connection
with this change, the Exchange proposes
to designate current paragraph (C) of
Rule 11.23(d)(2) as paragraph (D).
Technical Changes
The Exchange also proposes to make
the following technical changes to Rule
11.23:
• Amend paragraphs (b)(1)(A) and
(c)(1)(A) to replace the phrase ‘‘starting
at 8:00 a.m., the beginning of the Pre41 The scope of market participants notified
regarding the anticipated commencement the
Quote-Only Period (or extension of Quote-Only
Period, as described below) would include but
would not be limited to Members of the Exchange.
Such notice would also include those market
participants, individuals or entities that have
subscribed to the Exchange’s notification system.
The Exchange intends to send notifications
regarding the Quote-Only Period via email, as it
does with most public notifications today. The
Exchange notes that it does, in certain
circumstances, post information on its public Web
site in addition to email dissemination.
42 Id.
E:\FR\FM\29FEN1.SGM
29FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 39 / Monday, February 29, 2016 / Notices
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Opening Session’’ with ‘‘as set forth in
Rule 11.1’’. Paragraph (b)(1)(A) sets
forth when a User may enter or cancel
orders that are to participate in the
opening auction. Paragraph (c)(1)(A)
sets forth when a User may enter or
cancel orders that are to participate in
the closing auction. Rule 11.1 governs
when orders may be entered into the
System and when they may be eligible
for execution. The Exchange believes
cross-referencing Rule 11.1 within
paragraphs (b)(1)(A) and (c)(1)(A) would
assist in avoiding investor confusion as
Rule 11.1 provides additional detail on
when and orders may be entered into
the System
• Amend paragraph (d)(2)(A) to
replace with term ‘‘quotation only
period’’ with the defined term ‘‘QuoteOnly Period’’.
Neither of the above proposed
changes would amend the meaning or
operation of paragraphs (b)(1)(A),
(c)(1)(A), or (d)(2)(A) of Rule 11.23. The
Exchange simply proposes these
changes to make the rules easier to
understand and avoid potential investor
confusion.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b) of the Act,43 in general, and
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5)
of the Act,44 in particular, in that it is
designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, and to remove impediments to
and perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system. The Exchange believes
amending the definition of Eligible
Auction Orders to reject, convert, or
ignore certain types of orders in
connection with the IPO Auction
process for a BATS listed corporate
security would promote just and
equitable principles of trade by
simplifying and reducing the
complexity of the auction process as
well as the process of transferring
unexecuted interest to the BATS Book
following the auction process. The
Exchange also believes the proposed
limitations remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system by appropriately limiting the
types of orders that may participate to
those types of orders that are consistent
with the purpose of an IPO Auction.
The Exchange believes extending the
Quote-Only period would promote just
and equitable principles of trade, and to
43 15
44 15
U.S.C. 78f.
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:23 Feb 26, 2016
remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market
and a national market system by
providing market participants with
additional time to enter orders to
participate in the IPO Auction. The
Exchange believes that allowing a longer
Quote-Only Period for ETPs will
encourage the entry of orders prior to an
IPO Auction for a newly issued ETP.
Extension of the Quote-Only Period for
a corporate security would similarly
provide market participants with
additional time to enter orders to
participate in the IPO Auction and
would also enable the underwriters
more time to evaluate the scope of
demand for, and supply of, the IPO
Security, in a manner that will allow it
to make more informed decisions about
the appropriate time to initiate the
opening of the IPO Security through the
IPO Auction.
The Exchange believes that extending
the Quote-Only Period in the event of a
technical or systems issue at the
Exchange also remove impediments to
and perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system. A technical or systems issue
may prevent market participants from
entering orders during the Quote-Only
Period or prevent the Exchange from
successfully completing the IPO
Auction. In such case, the Exchange
believes it is reasonable to extend the
Quote-Only Period to provide market
participants with additional time to
enter orders and access the market for
the IPO Security after the technical or
systems issue is remedied.
Lastly, the Exchange believes that the
technical changes to paragraphs
(b)(1)(A), (c)(1)(A), or (d)(2)(A) of Rule
11.23 are consistent with Section 6(b)(5)
of the Act 45 because they are intended
to make the rules easier to understand
and avoid potential investor confusion,
thereby removing impediments to and
perfecting the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system, and, in general, protecting
investors and the public interest.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange believes its 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 the proposal would
increase competition by reducing the
complexity of its IPO Auction process
for BATS listed corporate securities
through reducing the number of
allowable types of orders. In addition,
45 Id.
Jkt 238001
PO 00000
Frm 00145
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
10349
the Exchange believes that the proposed
extensions of the Quote-Only Period
would also increase competition by
providing additional time for market
participants to enter orders to
participate in the IPO Auction,
potentially resulting in improved
liquidity and price discovery. Lastly, the
Exchange believes that the technical
changes to paragraphs (b)(1)(A),
(c)(1)(A), or (d)(2)(A) of Rule 11.23
would not impose any burden on
completion as they are not intended to
amend the meaning or operation of
these rules.
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
Within 45 days of the date of
publication of this notice in the Federal
Register or within such longer period
up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may
designate if it finds such longer period
to be appropriate and publishes its
reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which
the Exchange consents, the Commission
will:
(A) By Order Approve or Disapprove
Such Proposed Rule Change, or
(B) Institute Proceedings To Determine
Whether the Proposed Rule Change
Should Be 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, as modified by Amendment No.
1, 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–
BATS–2016–17 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.
E:\FR\FM\29FEN1.SGM
29FEN1
10350
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 39 / Monday, February 29, 2016 / Notices
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–BATS–2016–17. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if email is used. To help the
Commission process and review your
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will
post all comments on the Commission’s
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
submission, all subsequent
amendments, all written statements
with respect to the proposed rule
change that are filed with the
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549 on official
business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
offices of the Exchange. All comments
received will be posted without change;
the Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–BATS–
2016–17, and should be submitted on or
before March 21, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.46
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–04358 Filed 2–26–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–77214; File No. SR–BATS–
2016–14]
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS
Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a
Proposed Rule Change To Adopt an
Early Trading Session and Three New
Time-in-Force Instructions
February 23, 2016.
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 February
12, 2016, BATS Exchange, Inc. (the
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
19:23 Feb 26, 2016
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange filed a proposal to
amend its rules to: (i) Create a new
trading session to be known as the Early
Trading Session, which will run from
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time; and
(ii) adopt three new Time-in-Force
(‘‘TIF’’) instructions.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available at the Exchange’s Web site
at www.batstrading.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
The Exchange proposes to amend its
rules to: (i) Create a new trading session
to be known as the Early Trading
Session, which will run from 7:00 a.m.
to 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time; and (ii) adopt
three new TIF instructions.
Early Trading Session
The Exchange trading day is currently
divided into three sessions of which a
User 3 may select their order(s) be
eligible for execution: (i) The PreOpening Session which starts at 8:00
a.m. and ends at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time;
(ii) Regular Trading Hours which runs
3 ‘‘User’’ is defined as ‘‘any Member or Sponsored
Participant who is authorized to obtain access to the
System pursuant to Rule 11.3.’’ See Exchange Rule
1.5(cc).
46 17
VerDate Sep<11>2014
‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BATS’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I, II and III
below, which Items have been prepared
by the Exchange. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
Jkt 238001
PO 00000
Frm 00146
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Time; and (iii) the After Hours Session,
which runs from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Time. The Exchange proposes to
amend its rules to create a new trading
session to be known as the Early
Trading Session, which will run from
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.4
Exchange Rule 1.5 would be amended to
add a new definition for the term ‘‘Early
Trading Session’’ under new paragraph
(ee). ‘‘Early Trading Session’’ would be
defined as ‘‘the time between 7:00 a.m.
and 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.’’ 5
The Exchange also proposes to amend
Rule 11.1(a) to account for the Early
Trading Session starting at 7:00 a.m.
Eastern Time. Other than the proposal
to adopt an Early Trading Session
starting at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time, the
Exchange does not propose to amend
the substance or operation of Rule
11.1(a).
Users currently designate when their
orders are eligible for execution by
selecting the desired TIF instruction
under Exchange Rule 11.9(b). Orders
entered between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Eastern Time are not eligible for
execution until the start of the PreOpening Session, or Regular Trading
Hours,6 depending on the TIF selected
by the User. Users may enter orders in
advance of the trading session they
intend the order to be eligible for. For
example, Users may enter orders
starting at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time with
a TIF of Regular Hours Only, which
designates that the order only be eligible
for execution during Regular Trading
Hours.7 As stated above, Users may
enter orders as early as 6:00 a.m. Eastern
Time, but those orders would not be
eligible for execution until the start of
the Pre-Opening Session at 8:00 a.m.
4 The Exchange notes that NYSE Arca, Inc.
(‘‘NYSE Arca’’) operates an Opening Session that
starts at 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time (1:00 a.m. Pacific
Time) and ends at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time (6:30 a.m.
Pacific Time). See NYSE Arca Rule 7.34(a)(1). The
Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’) operates a
pre-market session that also opens at 4:00 a.m. and
ends at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. See Nasdaq Rule
4701(g). See also Securities Exchange Act Release
No. 69151 (March 15, 2013), 78 FR 17464 (March
21, 2013) (SR–Nasdaq–2013–033) (Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change to Extend the Pre-Market Hours of the
Exchange to 4:00 a.m. EST).
5 An Exchange having bifurcated after hours
trading sessions is not novel. For example, the
Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. (‘‘CHX’’) maintains
two after hours trading sessions. See CHX Article
20, Rule 1(b). See also Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 60605 (September 1, 2009), 74 FR
46277 (September 8, 2009) (SR–CHX–2009–13)
(Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
Proposed Rule Change Adding Additional Trading
Sessions).
6 ‘‘Regular Trading Hours’’ is defined as ‘‘the time
between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.’’ See
Exchange Rule 1.5(w).
7 See Exchange Rule 11.9(b)(7).
E:\FR\FM\29FEN1.SGM
29FEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 39 (Monday, February 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10345-10350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04358]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-77222; File No. SR-BATS-2016-17]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of
Filing of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1
Thereto, To Amend Its Rules Regarding the Auction Process for
Securities Subject to an Initial Public Offering
February 24, 2016.
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 February 10, 2016, BATS Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or
``BATS'') 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 the Exchange. On February 22,
2016, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposal.\3\ The
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the
proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, from interested
persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange proposes to correct a
technical error regarding incorrect terminology used in a footnote
and to clarify a sentence regarding an order with a time-in-force of
RHO that would be converted to an order with a time-in-force of Day
under the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange filed a proposal to amend Exchange Rule 11.23 entitled
``Auctions'' to: (i) Modify the definition of the term ``Eligible
Auction Order'' under paragraph (a)(8) to refine the types of orders
that may participate in an auction for a BATS listed corporate security
\4\ in an initial public offering (``IPO'') on the Exchange (``IPO
Auction'') and make a related change to Exchange Rule 11.1, Hours of
Trading and Trading Days; (ii) extend the Quote-Only Period \5\ under
paragraph (d)(1)(A); (iii) state that the Quote-Only Period may be
extended in the event of an Exchange technical or systems issue under
proposed paragraph (d)(2)(B)(iv); and (iv) make technical changes to
paragraphs (b)(1)(A), (c)(1)(A), and (d)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ A BATS listed corporate security is a security listed on the
Exchange pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Exchange's Rules that is not
an Exchange Traded Product (``ETP'') listed on the Exchange pursuant
to Exchange Rule 14.11. See also infra note 7.
\5\ See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(17).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's
Web site at www.batstrading.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
The Exchange proposes to amend Exchange Rule 11.23 entitled
``Auctions'' to: (i) Modify the definition of the term ``Eligible
Auction Order'' under paragraph (a)(8) to refine the types of orders
that may participate in an IPO Auction and make a related change to
Exchange Rule 11.1, Hours of Trading and Trading Days; (ii) extend the
Quote-Only Period under paragraph (d)(1)(A); (iii) state that the
Quote-Only Period may be extended in the event of an Exchange technical
or systems issue under proposed paragraph (d)(2)(B)(iv); and (iv) make
technical changes to paragraphs (b)(1)(A), (c)(1)(A), and (d)(2).
Eligible Auction Orders
The Exchange proposes to refine the types of orders that may
participate in an IPO Auction for a BATS listed corporate security by
amending the definition of Eligible Auction Orders under Exchange Rule
11.23(a)(8) to either reject, convert, or ignore certain types of
orders, as set forth below. As proposed, Limit Orders \6\ and BATS
Market Orders,\7\ the two main types of orders offered by the Exchange,
would be allowed to participate in an IPO Auction for a BATS listed
corporate security. The Exchange does not propose to amend the types of
Eligible Auction Orders that may participate in an auction for a newly
listed Exchange Traded Product.\8\ The Exchange believes refining the
types of orders processed in an IPO Auction and/or placed onto the BATS
Book \9\ following such IPO Auction would simplify and reduce the
complexity of the IPO Auction for BATS listed corporate securities. The
Exchange believes doing so would aid in ensuring a robust but
streamlined IPO Auction process for a newly listed corporate
securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(a)(1).
\7\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(a)(2).
\8\ An Exchange Traded Product is a security that is listed on
the Exchange pursuant to Rule 14.11.
\9\ See Exchange Rule 1.5(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Types of Orders to be Accepted or Rejected. The term Eligible
Auction Order is currently defined under Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(8) as
any Market-On-Open (``MOO''),\10\ Limit-On-
[[Page 10346]]
Open (``LOO''),\11\ Late-Limit-On-Open (``LLOO''),\12\ Market-On-Close
(``MOC''),\13\ Limit-On-Close (``LOC''),\14\ or Late-Limit-On-Close
(``LLOC'') \15\ order that is entered in compliance with its respective
cutoff for an Opening or Closing Auction,\16\ any Regular Hours Only
(``RHO'') \17\ order prior to the Opening Auction, any Limit or Market
Order not designated to exclusively participate in the Closing Auction
entered during the Quote-Only Period of an IPO Auction,\18\ and any
Limit or Market Order not designated to exclusively participate in the
Opening or Closing Auction entered during the Quote-Only Period of a
Halt Auction.\19\ The Exchange proposes to amend the definition of
Eligible Auction Orders to refine the types of orders that may
participate in an IPO Auction for a BATS listed corporate security.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(16).
\11\ See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(14).
\12\ See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(12).
\13\ See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(15).
\14\ See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(13).
\15\ See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(11).
\16\ The Opening and Closing Auction processes are described in
Exchange Rules 11.23(b) and (c).
\17\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(b)(7).
\18\ See Exchange Rules 11.23(d)(1)(A).
\19\ Id. The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule 11.1 to make
clear that it will not accept BATS Market Orders that are not
Eligible Auction Orders prior to 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As is currently the case, Limit Orders and BATS Market Orders
entered during the Quote-Only Period would be allowed to participate in
an IPO Auction for a BATS listed corporate security provided they do
not also include one or more of the modifiers described below that
would result in rejection. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to
exclude under proposed subparagraph (a)(8)(A) to Rule 11.23 the
following types of orders from participation in an IPO Auction and to
reject such orders: Stop Orders \20\ and Stop Limit Orders; \21\ Pegged
Orders,\22\ Mid-Point Peg Orders,\23\ Market Maker Peg Orders \24\ and
Supplemental Peg Orders; \25\ Minimum Quantity Orders \26\ and
Discretionary Orders; \27\ MOC, LOC and LLOC orders; and orders with a
time-in-force of Fill-or-Kill (``FOK'') \28\ and orders with a time-in-
force of Good-'til-Day (``GTD'') with an expiration time earlier than
4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.\29\ Such orders entered to participate in an
IPO Auction would be rejected.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\20\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(17).
\21\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(18).
\22\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(8).
\23\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(9).
\24\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(16).
\25\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(19).
\26\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(5).
\27\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(b)(10) [sic].
\28\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(6) [sic].
\29\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(b)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange believes it is reasonable to reject orders with the
above characteristics from participating in the IPO Auction because
doing so will aid in reducing systems complexity and risk associated
both with completing the IPO Auction and with transferring any
unexecuted portion of such orders to the BATS Book once the auction is
complete. These orders are also not commonly utilized as compared to
other types of orders and the rejection of such orders should not have
a significant impact on Members. In addition, the Exchange believes
these types of orders contain certain attributes that are not
compatible with the process of an IPO Auction. For example, Stop Orders
and Stop Limit Orders are not eligible for execution until their stop
price is triggered by an execution, which is an attribute that is not
compatible with the IPO Auction process, as that process will result in
the first execution for an IPO Security. In addition, Pegged Orders,
Mid-Point Peg Orders, Market Maker Peg Orders, and Supplemental Peg
Orders are priced in relation to the National Best Bid or Offer
(``NBBO''). An NBBO is not established until after the IPO Auction is
complete and secondary trading begins. Therefore, the participation of
these orders is also incompatible with the IPO Auction process.
The Exchange also proposes to reject Minimum Quantity Orders and
Discretionary Orders entered to participate in an IPO Auction. In sum,
Minimum Quantity Orders will only execute if a minimum number of shares
can be obtained while a Discretionary Order includes both a displayed
price and a non-displayed discretionary price. Orders entered to
participate in an IPO Auction need to represent the full trading
interest for the security subject to the IPO Auction because that
auction relies on matching buy and sell orders based on their displayed
price and full displayed size. Therefore, the Exchange believes it is
reasonable to reject Discretionary Orders and Minimum Quantity Orders
entered to participate in the IPO Auction as these types of orders
contain variables (i.e., minimum execution size or a non-displayed
discretionary price) that are not compatible with the IPO Auction
process.
The Exchange also believes it is reasonable to reject orders with a
time-in-force of FOK, a time-in-force of GTD with an expiration time
earlier than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, as well as MOC, LOC, and LLOC
orders that are entered to participate in an IPO Auction. Orders with a
time-in-force of FOK require that they be executed in full or will be
cancelled upon receipt by the Exchange. Orders with a time-in-force of
FOK are therefore not compatible with the IPO Auction process as orders
participating in the IPO Auction process may not be fully executed in
the auction and seeking to honor the intent of the instruction would
complicate the processing of the IPO Auction. The Exchange also
believes it is reasonable to reject GTD Orders with an expiration time
earlier than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time entered to participate in an IPO
Auction. Doing so would prevent the possibility of entry of GTD Orders
with an expiration time either prior to, during or immediately
following the IPO Auction, thereby reducing system complexity
associated with processing such orders. Lastly, the Exchange also
believes it is reasonable to reject MOC, LOC, and LLOC orders entered
to participate in an IPO Auction because the terms of those orders
require that they participate in the Exchange's closing auction
process. The Exchange notes that such orders are already excluded from
an IPO Auction based on the definition of Eligible Auction Order,
however, the Exchange believes it is reasonable to include such orders
in the list with other rejected types of orders to avoid potential
confusion.
Types of Orders to be Converted. The Exchange also proposes to
adopt subparagraph (a)(8)(B) to Rule 11.23, which would set forth the
types of orders that would be converted by the Exchange for purposes of
participating in the IPO Auction for a BATS listed corporate security.
First, orders with a time-in-force of Immediate-or-Cancel (``IOC'')
\30\ will be converted as follows: A Market Order with a time-in-force
of IOC will be converted to a MOO and a Limit Order with a time-in-
force of IOC will be converted to a LOO. Second, orders with a time-in-
force of RHO will be converted to orders with a time-in-force of Day.
Third, any orders eligible to be routed will be converted to a BATS
Only Order.\31\ Upon completion of the IPO Auction, any remainder not
executed in the auction will be placed on the BATS Book, executed,
cancelled or routed away in accordance with the converted terms of the
order. Such orders would not revert back to the original type modifier
the User included with the order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\30\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(4).
\31\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(b)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As stated above, the types of orders entered to participate in the
IPO Auction that the Exchange proposes to reject under proposed Rule
[[Page 10347]]
11.23(a)(8)(A) are less commonly used and the rejection of such orders
should not have a significant impact on Members. In contrast, the types
of orders the Exchange proposes to convert into other types of orders
are more commonly used by Members. Also, the types of orders that the
Exchange proposes to convert to do not materially deviate from the type
of order that was originally entered. The Exchange believes it is
reasonable to convert rather than reject the above types of orders
because it would accommodate those Members that have automated their
systems to send orders to the Exchange without significantly altering
the operation of the order from what the Member originally instructed.
Such Members may also not be able to re-submit a rejected order with
the correct modifier in time to participate in the IPO Auction.
Therefore, the Exchange is concerned that rejecting, rather than
converting those types of orders as proposed, would inappropriately
burden those Members and deter their participation in an IPO Auction.
First, the Exchange believes it is reasonable to convert Market
Orders with a time-in-force of IOC to MOOs and Limit Orders with a
time-in-force of IOC to LOOs and notes that each of these orders would
operate in substantially similar ways. Each of the above orders would
be eligible for execution in the IPO Auction and any remainder would be
cancelled once the IPO Auction is complete. Second, the Exchange also
believes that converting the time-in-force of RHO to the time-in-force
of Day is also reasonable based on the similarity between these times-
in-force. For instance, both orders with a time-in-force of RHO and
orders with a time-in-force of Day are ineligible for execution until
the start of Regular Trading Hours \32\ at 9:30 a.m.\33\ and are
cancelled at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.\34\ By converting the order,
however, the Exchange is able to reduce the number of types of orders
that will be handled in an IPO Auction and/or placed on the BATS Book
following such IPO Auction. Lastly, the Exchange also believes it is
reasonable to convert routable orders to BATS Only Orders because there
would be no other markets to route orders to from the time of the IPO
Auction until secondary trading commences. Any remainder of a routable
order that is converted to a BATS Only Order would be posted to the
BATS Book upon completion of an IPO Auction. At that time, the Member
could cancel the order and resubmit a routable order if such Member
wished to do so.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\32\ See Exchange Rule 1.5(w).
\33\ An IPO Auction will only occur after 9:30 a.m. Eastern
Time.
\34\ The Exchange notes that any portion of a market order with
a time-in-force of RHO will be cancelled immediately following any
auction in which it is not executed. See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(7).
The Exchange does not accept market orders with a time-in-force of
Day.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modifiers to be Ignored. The Exchange also proposes to adopt
subparagraph (a)(8)(C) to Rule 11.23, which would set forth the
modifiers on an order that has been entered to participate in an IPO
Auction that would be ignored for purposes of completing the IPO
Auction. Such modifiers would be permanently ignored with respect to an
order, including after placement on the BATS Book, unless otherwise
specified in the proposed Rule. First, as proposed, Match Trade
Prevention (``MTP'') modifiers \35\ will not be applied until the IPO
Auction is complete but will be applied in the event any unexecuted
portion is placed on the BATS Book. Pursuant to Rule 11.9(f), any
incoming order designated with an MTP modifier will normally be
prevented from executing against a resting opposite side order also
designated with an MTP modifier and originating from the same User.
However, during an IPO Auction the MTP Modifier would be ignored and
such orders may be matched against each other. Upon completion of the
IPO Auction, an MTP modifier will be recognized and any remainder not
executed in the auction will be placed on the BATS Book and executed or
cancelled in accordance with the original MTP modifier appended to the
order. The Exchange believes it is reasonable to ignore an MTP modifier
during the IPO Auction as preventing such a Member's orders from
executing against each other during an IPO Auction would add
unnecessary complexity. Most Members that utilize MTP modifiers have
configured their connectivity to the Exchange to add the MTP Modifier
to all of their orders. If the Exchange were to reject orders with a
MTP modifier it would impose an inappropriate burden on Members who
utilize such modifiers, thereby impairing their ability to participate
in the IPO Auction. The Exchange notes that any remainder not executed
in the IPO Auction will be executed or cancelled in accordance with the
original MTP modifier.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\35\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second, an instruction to treat an order as an Attributable Order
will be ignored, meaning that any such order's execution will be
displayed anonymously.\36\ The Exchange believes it is reasonable to
ignore such instructions as orders entered into an IPO Auction as not
displayed individually but instead as aggregated interest in the
Exchange's data feeds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\36\ See also Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'') Rule
4753(b)(4) (stating that orders executed as part of the Nasdaq Halt
Cross shall be trade reported anonymously).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third, an ISO instruction or a Post Only instruction included with
a Limit Order will also be ignored during the IPO Auction. The Exchange
believes it is reasonable to ignore an ISO instruction are such
instructions are incompatible with an IPO Auction. For instance, an ISO
instruction informs the Exchange that the sender simultaneously routed
one or more additional limit orders, as necessary, to execute against
the full displayed size of any protected bid or offer with a price that
is superior to the limit price of the limit order identified as an ISO.
The Exchange is the sole market for a security subject to an IPO
Auction up until the time secondary trading commences and the ISO
designation is therefore incompatible with the IPO Auction. Similarly,
BATS Post Only Order is an order that instructs the Exchange not to
remove liquidity from the BATS Book, provided that BATS Post Only
Orders do remove liquidity under certain circumstances outlined in Rule
11.9(c)(6). In an IPO Auction, orders are matched and there is no true
``adder'' or ``remover'' of liquidity. Accordingly, a Post Only
instruction is incompatible with the IPO Auction. In contrast to orders
under proposed Rule 11.23(a)(8)(A) discussed above, which the Exchange
proposes to reject, the Exchange believes that it is reasonable to
ignore an ISO instruction or a Post Only instruction on an order rather
than to reject such orders because such orders are sufficiently common
and may require additional programming by Members in order to avoid
sending such instructions solely for an IPO Auction.
Lastly, the Maximum Remove Percentage of a Partial Post Only at
Limit Order \37\ as well as the replenishment range of a Reserve Order
with a Random Replenishment instruction will be ignored during the IPO
Auction.\38\ The Exchange also
[[Page 10348]]
believes it is reasonable to ignore these order instructions for the
same reason it proposes to reject Discretionary Orders and Minimum
Quantity Order under proposed Rule 11.23(a)(8)(A) discussed above.
Orders entered to participate in an IPO Auction need to represent the
full trading interest for the security subject to the IPO Auction
because that auction relies on matching buy and sell orders based on
their displayed prices and full displayed size. Therefore, the Exchange
believes it is reasonable to ignore the Maximum Remove Percentage of a
Partial Post Only at Limit Order and the replenishment range of a
Reserve Order with a Random Replenishment instruction entered to
participate in the IPO Auction as these types of order instructions
contain variables (i.e., maximum remove requirements or non-displayed
size) that are not compatible with the IPO Auction process. In contrast
to Discretionary Orders and Minimum Quantity Orders under proposed Rule
11.23(a)(8)(A) discussed above, which the Exchange proposes to reject,
the Exchange believes that it is reasonable to ignore the Maximum
Remove Percentage of a Partial Post Only at Limit Order and the
replenishment range of a Reserve Order with a Random Replenishment
instruction rather than to reject such orders because such orders can
still be handled consistent with the overall intent of the order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\37\ See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(7). In sum, the Maximum Remove
Percentage enables a User to enter a Partial Post Only at Limit
Order instructing the Exchange to also remove liquidity from the
BATS Book at the order's limit price up to a designated percentage
of the remaining size of the order after any execution pursuant to
paragraph (A) of Rule 11.9(c)(7). See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(7)(B).
\38\ Random Replenishment is an instruction that a User may
attach to an order with Reserve Quantity where replenishment
quantities for the order are randomly determined by the System
within a replenishment range established by the User. In particular,
the User entering an order into the System subject to the Random
Replenishment instruction must select a replenishment value and a
Max Floor. The initial Display Quantity will be the Max Floor. The
Display Quantity of an order when replenished will be determined by
the System randomly selecting a round lot number of shares within a
replenishment range that is between: (i) the Max Floor minus the
replenishment value; and (ii) the Max Floor plus the replenishment
value. See Exchange Rule 11.9(c)(1)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the exception of MTP modifiers discussed above, all modifiers
listed under proposed Rule 11.23(a)(8)(C) will not be further
considered with respect to an order upon completion of the IPO Auction.
Any remainder not executed in the auction will be placed on the BATS
Book, executed, cancelled or routed away in accordance with the
modified terms of the order.
Extension of Quote-Only Period
The Exchange proposes to extend the Quote-Only Period for an IPO
Auction under Exchange Rule 11.23(d)(1)(A). The Quote-Only Period is
the designated period of time prior to a Halt Auction, a Volatility
Closing Auction, or an IPO Auction during which Users may submit orders
to the Exchange for participation in the auction.\39\ With regard to an
IPO Auction, the Quote-Only Period currently begins fifteen (15)
minutes plus a short random period prior to such Auction.\40\ The
Exchange proposes to amend Rule 11.23(d)(1)(A) to extend the Quote-Only
Period for an ETP such that it commences at 8:00 a.m., which is the
beginning of the Exchange's Pre-Opening Session. With regard to an ETP,
the Exchange does not believe that there is reason to restrict quoting
in such products to a specified amount of time prior to the auction and
that additional time is warranted. In particular, the Exchange believes
that allowing a longer Quote-Only Period will encourage the entry of
orders prior to an IPO Auction for a newly issued ETP, which typically
have low participation rates especially when compared to IPO Auctions
for corporate securities. Further, while an IPO Auction for a corporate
security is typically conducted at least 30 minutes after the
commencement of Regular Trading Hours, an IPO Auction for a newly
issued ETP is typically conducted at the beginning of Regular Trading
Hours (i.e., 9:30 Eastern Time), and thus may not afford much time for
participants to enter orders prior to such auction. For these reasons,
the Exchange believes that a longer Quote-Only Period for ETPs is
warranted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\39\ See Exchange Rule 11.23(a)(17).
\40\ See Exchange Rule 11.23(d)(1)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange proposes to extend the Quote-Only Period for a BATS
listed corporate security to begin at a time announced in advance by
the Exchange that shall be between fifteen (15) and thirty (30) minutes
plus a short random period prior to such IPO Auction. The Exchange
believes that extending the Quote-Only period as proposed is reasonable
as it would provide market participants more time to enter orders to
participate in the IPO Auction. Extension of the Quote-Only Period
would also enable the underwriters more time to evaluate the scope of
demand for, and supply of, the security subject to the IPO Auction
(``IPO Security''), in a manner that will allow it to make more
informed decisions about the appropriate time to initiate the opening
of the IPO Security through the IPO Auction. The Exchange would
determine the length of time of the Quote-Only Period for a BATS listed
corporate security (i.e., what time between fifteen (15) and thirty
(30) minutes) in consultation with the issuer of the IPO security and
would announce the length of time for the Quote-Only Period in advance
of the commencement of such period.\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\41\ The scope of market participants notified regarding the
anticipated commencement the Quote-Only Period (or extension of
Quote-Only Period, as described below) would include but would not
be limited to Members of the Exchange. Such notice would also
include those market participants, individuals or entities that have
subscribed to the Exchange's notification system. The Exchange
intends to send notifications regarding the Quote-Only Period via
email, as it does with most public notifications today. The Exchange
notes that it does, in certain circumstances, post information on
its public Web site in addition to email dissemination.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) [sic] Currently, the Exchange may extend the Quote-Only Period
under Rule 11.23(d)(2)(B) for an IPO Auction beyond the above
timeframes where: (i) There are unmatched Market Orders on the Auction
Book; (ii) the underwriter requests an extension; or (iii) where the
Indicative Price moves the greater of 10% or fifty (50) cents in the
fifteen (15) seconds prior to the auction. The Exchange proposes to
amend Rule 11.23(d)(2)(B) to enable it to also extend the Quote-Only
Period in the event of a technical or systems issue at the Exchange
that may impair the ability of Users to participate in the IPO Auction
or of the Exchange to complete the IPO Auction. The Exchange believes
it is reasonable to be able to extend the Quote-Only Period in the
event of a technical or systems issue at the Exchange as such an issue
may prevent market participants from entering orders during the Quote-
Only Period, resulting in less liquidity which may prevent the
underwriters from adequately accessing the trading interest of the IPO
Security. In such case, the Exchange believes it is reasonable to
extend the Quote-Only Period in the event of a technical or systems
issue to provide market participants the adequate time to enter orders
to participate in the IPO auction. The Exchange also proposes to adopt
paragraph (C) to codify its intention to notify market participants
regarding extensions to the Quote-Only Period. As proposed, the
Exchange will notify market participants in the event of any extension
to the Quote-Only Period pursuant to paragraph (B), including details
regarding the circumstances and length of the extension.\42\ In
connection with this change, the Exchange proposes to designate current
paragraph (C) of Rule 11.23(d)(2) as paragraph (D).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\42\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical Changes
The Exchange also proposes to make the following technical changes
to Rule 11.23:
Amend paragraphs (b)(1)(A) and (c)(1)(A) to replace the
phrase ``starting at 8:00 a.m., the beginning of the Pre-
[[Page 10349]]
Opening Session'' with ``as set forth in Rule 11.1''. Paragraph
(b)(1)(A) sets forth when a User may enter or cancel orders that are to
participate in the opening auction. Paragraph (c)(1)(A) sets forth when
a User may enter or cancel orders that are to participate in the
closing auction. Rule 11.1 governs when orders may be entered into the
System and when they may be eligible for execution. The Exchange
believes cross-referencing Rule 11.1 within paragraphs (b)(1)(A) and
(c)(1)(A) would assist in avoiding investor confusion as Rule 11.1
provides additional detail on when and orders may be entered into the
System
Amend paragraph (d)(2)(A) to replace with term ``quotation
only period'' with the defined term ``Quote-Only Period''.
Neither of the above proposed changes would amend the meaning or
operation of paragraphs (b)(1)(A), (c)(1)(A), or (d)(2)(A) of Rule
11.23. The Exchange simply proposes these changes to make the rules
easier to understand and avoid potential investor confusion.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b) of the Act,\43\ in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\44\ in particular, in that it
is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices,
to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and to remove
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and
a national market system. The Exchange believes amending the definition
of Eligible Auction Orders to reject, convert, or ignore certain types
of orders in connection with the IPO Auction process for a BATS listed
corporate security would promote just and equitable principles of trade
by simplifying and reducing the complexity of the auction process as
well as the process of transferring unexecuted interest to the BATS
Book following the auction process. The Exchange also believes the
proposed limitations remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of
a free and open market and a national market system by appropriately
limiting the types of orders that may participate to those types of
orders that are consistent with the purpose of an IPO Auction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\43\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
\44\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange believes extending the Quote-Only period would promote
just and equitable principles of trade, and to remove impediments to
and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national
market system by providing market participants with additional time to
enter orders to participate in the IPO Auction. The Exchange believes
that allowing a longer Quote-Only Period for ETPs will encourage the
entry of orders prior to an IPO Auction for a newly issued ETP.
Extension of the Quote-Only Period for a corporate security would
similarly provide market participants with additional time to enter
orders to participate in the IPO Auction and would also enable the
underwriters more time to evaluate the scope of demand for, and supply
of, the IPO Security, in a manner that will allow it to make more
informed decisions about the appropriate time to initiate the opening
of the IPO Security through the IPO Auction.
The Exchange believes that extending the Quote-Only Period in the
event of a technical or systems issue at the Exchange also remove
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and
a national market system. A technical or systems issue may prevent
market participants from entering orders during the Quote-Only Period
or prevent the Exchange from successfully completing the IPO Auction.
In such case, the Exchange believes it is reasonable to extend the
Quote-Only Period to provide market participants with additional time
to enter orders and access the market for the IPO Security after the
technical or systems issue is remedied.
Lastly, the Exchange believes that the technical changes to
paragraphs (b)(1)(A), (c)(1)(A), or (d)(2)(A) of Rule 11.23 are
consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \45\ because they are
intended to make the rules easier to understand and avoid potential
investor confusion, thereby removing impediments to and perfecting the
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and,
in general, protecting investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\45\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange believes its 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 the
proposal would increase competition by reducing the complexity of its
IPO Auction process for BATS listed corporate securities through
reducing the number of allowable types of orders. In addition, the
Exchange believes that the proposed extensions of the Quote-Only Period
would also increase competition by providing additional time for market
participants to enter orders to participate in the IPO Auction,
potentially resulting in improved liquidity and price discovery.
Lastly, the Exchange believes that the technical changes to paragraphs
(b)(1)(A), (c)(1)(A), or (d)(2)(A) of Rule 11.23 would not impose any
burden on completion as they are not intended to amend the meaning or
operation of these rules.
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
Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the
Federal Register or within such longer period up to 90 days (i) as the
Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be
appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to
which the Exchange consents, the Commission will:
(A) By Order Approve or Disapprove Such Proposed Rule Change, or
(B) Institute Proceedings To Determine Whether the Proposed Rule Change
Should Be 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, as modified by Amendment No. 1, 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-BATS-2016-17 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.
[[Page 10350]]
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BATS-2016-17. This file
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available
for inspection and copying at the principal offices of the Exchange.
All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission
does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You
should submit only information that you wish to make available
publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BATS-2016-17,
and should be submitted on or before March 21, 2016.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\46\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\46\
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-04358 Filed 2-26-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P