Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule To Add Fees for Reserve Market Maker Options Trading Permits, 21433-21435 [2016-08181]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Notices
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 No.
SR–NYSEArca–2016–15. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if email is used. To help the
Commission process and review your
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will
post all comments on the Commission’s
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
submission, all subsequent
amendments, all written statements
with respect to the proposed rule
change that are filed with the
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
proposed rule 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
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 No. SR–NYSEArca–
2016–15, and should be submitted on or
before May 2, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.23
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–08178 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am]
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–77521; File No. SR–
NYSEArca–2016–53]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change Amending the NYSE Arca
Options Fee Schedule To Add Fees for
Reserve Market Maker Options Trading
Permits
April 5, 2016
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 March
25, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the
‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) filed with
the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the
proposed rule change as described in
Items I, II, and III below, which Items
have been prepared by the selfregulatory 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 amend the
NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule (‘‘Fee
Schedule’’) to add fees for Reserve
Market Maker Options Trading Permits.
The Exchange proposes to implement
the fee change effective April 1, 2016.
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
23 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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18:37 Apr 08, 2016
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21433
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of this filing is to add
fees for Reserve Market Maker Options
Trading Permits (each a ‘‘Reserve
OTP’’).
Under the current NYSE Arca Fee
Schedule (Fee Schedule),4 an OTP
Holder or OTP Firm 5 acting as a Market
Maker must pay a monthly fee for each
Options Trading Permit (‘‘OTP’’) it
utilizes.6 In order to act as a Market
Maker 7 on the Exchange Floor, an
individual must be specifically named
on the relevant Market Maker’s OTP. On
occasions when a Market Maker
operating on the Floor may is [sic]
absent, the OTP Holder or OTP Firm
may wish to have a Market Maker
Authorized Trader 8 (‘‘MMAT’’)
employee engage in open outcry trading
to cover for the absent Market Maker.
However, an MMAT may only step in to
cover for the absent Market Maker if it
is specifically named on the relevant
OTP; if such individual is not named,
the OTP Holder or OTP Firm would be
charged the full monthly fee if it
activates the OTP to allow that
individual to stand in for as briefly as
one day.9
4 See Fee Schedule, available here, https://
www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/arcaoptions/NYSE_Arca_Options_Fee_Schedule.pdf.
5 An OTP Holder is a natural person, in good
standing, that has been issued an OTP. See Rule
1.1.(q). An OTP Firm is a sole proprietorship,
partnership, corporation, limited liability company
or other organization in good standing, who has
been issued an OTP or upon whom an OTP Holder
has conferred trading privileges on the Exchange.
See Rule 1.1.(r).
6 OTPs are issued by the Exchange for effecting
approved securities transactions on the Exchange’s
Trading Facilities. See Rule 1.1.(p). The cost of each
OTP ranges from $6,000, for the first OTP, to $1,000
for the fifth or greater OTP, as the cost decreases
as the number of OTPs utilized per month
increases. See supra n. 4. The first OTP allows a
Market Maker to quote in up to 175 issues; a Market
Maker is required to have four OTPs to quote all
issues on the Exchange. See id.
7 A Market Maker is an individual who is
registered with the Exchange for the purpose of
making transactions as a dealer-specialist on the
Floor of the Exchange or for the purpose of
submitting quotes electronically and making
transactions as a dealer-specialist through the NYSE
Arca OX electronic trading system. See Rule 6.32(a).
8 A Market Maker Authorized Trader is an
authorized trader who performs market making
activities pursuant to Rule 6 on behalf of an OTP
Holder or OTP Firm registered as a Market Maker.
See Rule 6.1A(a)(9). A Market Maker Authorized
Trader must meet the same registration
requirements as a Market Maker before they can be
designated as a Market Maker Authorized Trader.
See Rule 6.33.
9 The Monthly OTP fee is based on the maximum
number of OTPs held by an OTP Firm or OTP
Continued
Sfmt 4703
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11APN1
21434
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Notices
To provide an option to Market Maker
firms to address such short-term
absences in a more economical way, the
Exchange recently adopted paragraph (i)
to Rule 6.2 (Admission to and Conduct
on the Options Trading Floor) to create
a Reserve OTP.10 A Reserve OTP would
permit an OTP Holder or OTP Firm to
have a qualified MMAT employee cover
for the absent Market Maker under the
firm’s OTP, effectively empowering the
individual acting as a qualified MMAT
to act as a Market Maker in lieu of the
absent individual until such time as the
absent Market Maker returns.11
The Exchange now proposes to charge
each OTP Holder and OTP Firm a $175
monthly fee for a Reserve OTP. The fee
would be assessed to each OTP Holder
and OTP Firm that notifies the
Exchange that it would like to utilize a
Reserve OTP, such that an MMAT in its
employ would be eligible to be named
to the OTP to act as a Floor Market
Maker to cover for another Floor Market
Maker who is otherwise absent from the
Trading Floor that day. The proposed
fee change would be implemented on
April 1, 2016.
2. Statutory Basis
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The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b) of the Act,12 in general, and
furthers the objectives of Sections
6(b)(4) and (5) of the Act,13 in particular,
because it provides for the equitable
allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and
other charges among its members,
issuers and other persons using its
facilities and does not unfairly
discriminate between customers,
issuers, brokers or dealers.
The Exchange believes the proposed
fee is equitably allocated and not
unfairly discriminatory because it
would apply equally to all OTP Holders
or OTP Firms that opt to utilize the
Reserve OTP alternative. The Exchange
believes that the proposed fee is
reasonable because it provides a method
for OTP Holders and OTP Firms to have
fully qualified personnel step in for
absent employees without having to pay
Holder during a calendar month. See supra n. 4,
endnote 1.
10 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77440
(March 24, 2016), (SR–NYSEArca-2016–50)
(adopting Reserve OTP on immediately effective
basis, with waiver of 30-day operative delay). In its
filing, the Exchange noted that other options
exchanges likewise offer a ‘‘Reserve’’ concept. See,
e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 66237
(January 25, 2012), 77 FR 4848 (January 31, 2012)
(SR–NYSEAmex–2012–02) (amending Rule 902NY
to create a Reserve Floor Market Maker Amex
Trading Permit (‘‘Reserve ATP’’)).
11 See id.; see also Rule 6.2(i).
12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
13 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
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18:37 Apr 08, 2016
Jkt 238001
the full fee every month that the OTP is
used by such substitute persons. The
Exchange believes the option of a
Reserve OTP would encourage the
efficient use of personnel resources for
OTP Holders and OTP Firms, which
contributes to fair and orderly markets.
The Exchange notes that the proposed
$175 fee is consistent with fees on other
option exchanges.14
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,15 the Exchange does not believe
that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition that
is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
The proposed fee would enable the
Exchange to compete more effectively
with options exchanges that already
provide the cost-effective alternative of
a ‘‘Reserve’’ trading permit to address
personnel coverage for absent Floor
Market Makers.16 The Exchange
believes that by improving the
competitiveness of Exchange Market
Makers it would, in turn, promote
competition for order flow among
market participants and the options
exchanges.
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 foregoing rule change is effective
upon filing pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) 17 of the Act and
subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–4 18
thereunder, because it establishes a due,
fee, or other charge imposed by the
Exchange.
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
14 See NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule,
Section III.A. (charging $175 monthly fee for
Reserve Floor Market Maker ATP), available here,
https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/
amex-options/
NYSE_Amex_Options_Fee_Schedule.pdf.
15 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
16 See supra n. 14.
17 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
18 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
PO 00000
Frm 00126
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Sfmt 4703
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) 19 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 rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–NYSEARCA–2016–53 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–NYSEArca-2016–53. 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
19 15
E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
11APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Notices
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–
NYSEArca-2016–53, and should be
submitted on or before May 2, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.20
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–08181 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 9513]
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs,
Directorate of Defense Trade Controls:
Notifications to the Congress of
Proposed Commercial Export Licenses
Department of State.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice is hereby given that
the Department of State has forwarded
the attached Notifications of Proposed
Export Licenses to the Congress on the
dates indicated on the attachments
pursuant to sections 36(c) and 36(d),
and in compliance with section 36(f), of
the Arms Export Control Act.
DATES: As shown on each of the 33
letters.
SUMMARY:
Ms.
Lisa V. Aguirre, Directorate of Defense
Trade Controls, Department of State,
telephone (202) 663–2830; email
DDTCResponseTeam@state.gov. ATTN:
Congressional Notification of Licenses.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
36(f) of the Arms Export Control Act (22
U.S.C. 2778) mandates that notifications
to the Congress pursuant to sections
36(c) and 36(d) must be published in the
Federal Register when they are
transmitted to Congress or as soon
thereafter as practicable.
Following are such notifications to
the Congress:
October 01, 2015
Honorable John A. Boehner, Speaker of
the House of Representatives.
Dear Mr. Speaker: Pursuant to Section
36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act, I
am transmitting certification of a
proposed license amendment for the
export of defense articles, including
technical data, and defense services in
the amount of $50,000,000 or more.
The transaction contained in the
attached certification involves the
export of defense articles, including
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
20 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:37 Apr 08, 2016
Jkt 238001
technical data, and defense services to
the United Arab Emirates, France and
the United Kingdom to support the
integration, operation, training, testing,
repair and operational level
maintenance of the Maverick AGM–65
Weapons System and Paveway II,
Paveway III, Enhanced Paveway II, and
Enhanced Paveway III Weapons
Systems for end-use by the United Arab
Emirates.
The United States government is
prepared to license the export of these
items having taken into account
political, military, economic, human
rights, and arms control considerations.
More detailed information is
contained in the formal certification
which, though unclassified, contains
business information submitted to the
Department of State by the applicant,
publication of which could cause
competitive harm to the United States
firm concerned.
Sincerely,
Julia Frifield,
Assistant Secretary Legislative Affairs.
Enclosure: Transmittal No. DDTC 15–064.
October 16, 2015
Honorable John A. Boehner, Speaker of
the House of Representatives.
Dear Mr. Speaker: Pursuant to Section
36(d) of the Arms Export Control Act, I
am transmitting certification of a
proposed license for the export of
defense articles, including technical
data, and defense services for the
manufacture of significant military
equipment abroad.
The transaction contained in the
attached certification involves the
transfer of technical data and defense
services to support the replication of the
Have Quick I/II and SATURN Electronic
Counter-Counter Measure (ECCM) for
integration into Radio Communications
equipment in Germany.
The United States Government is
prepared to license the export of these
items having taken into account
political, military, economic, human
rights and arms control considerations.
More detailed information is
contained in the formal certification
which, though unclassified, contains
business information submitted to the
Department of State by the applicant,
publication of which could cause
competitive harm to the United States
firm concerned.
21435
Dear Mr. Speaker: Pursuant to Section
36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act, I
am transmitting certification of a
proposed license for the export of
defense articles, including technical
data, and defense services in the amount
of $50,000,000 or more.
The transaction contained in the
attached certification involves the
export of technical data and defense
services for the marketing, sale, and
support of the ScanEagle UAS and the
Integrator UAS to the United Arab
Emirates.
The United States government is
prepared to license the export of these
items having taken into account
political, military, economic, human
rights, and arms control considerations.
More detailed information is
contained in the formal certification
which, though unclassified, contains
business information submitted to the
Department of State by the applicant,
publication of which could cause
competitive harm to the United States
firm concerned.
Sincerely,
Julia Frifield,
Assistant Secretary Legislative Affairs.
Enclosure: Transmittal No. DDTC 15–041.
October 23, 2015
Honorable Joseph R. Biden, President of
the Senate.
Dear Mr. President: Pursuant to Section
36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act, I
am transmitting certification of a
proposed license for the export of
firearm, parts and components abroad
controlled under Category I of the
United States Munitions List in amount
of $1,000,000 or more.
The transaction contained in the
attached certification involves the
export of various calibers of machine
guns to the government of Lebanon.
The United States government is
prepared to license the export of these
items having taken into account
political, military, economic, human
rights, and arms control considerations.
More detailed information is
contained in the formal certification
which, though unclassified, contains
business information submitted to the
Department of State by the applicant,
publication of which could cause
competitive harm to the United States
firm concerned.
Sincerely,
Julia Frifield,
Assistant Secretary Legislative Affairs.
Enclosure: Transmittal No. DDTC 15–027.
Sincerely,
Julia Frifield,
Assistant Secretary Legislative Affairs.
Enclosure: Transmittal No. DDTC 15–090.
October 16, 2015
Honorable John A. Boehner, Speaker of
the House of Representatives.
October 23, 2015.
Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr. President
of the Senate.
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11APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 69 (Monday, April 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21433-21435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08181]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-77521; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2016-53]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the NYSE
Arca Options Fee Schedule To Add Fees for Reserve Market Maker Options
Trading Permits
April 5, 2016
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 March 25, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or
``NYSE Arca'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II,
and III below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory
organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 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 amend the NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule
(``Fee Schedule'') to add fees for Reserve Market Maker Options Trading
Permits. The Exchange proposes to implement the fee change effective
April 1, 2016. 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.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of this filing is to add fees for Reserve Market Maker
Options Trading Permits (each a ``Reserve OTP'').
Under the current NYSE Arca Fee Schedule (Fee Schedule),\4\ an OTP
Holder or OTP Firm \5\ acting as a Market Maker must pay a monthly fee
for each Options Trading Permit (``OTP'') it utilizes.\6\ In order to
act as a Market Maker \7\ on the Exchange Floor, an individual must be
specifically named on the relevant Market Maker's OTP. On occasions
when a Market Maker operating on the Floor may is [sic] absent, the OTP
Holder or OTP Firm may wish to have a Market Maker Authorized Trader
\8\ (``MMAT'') employee engage in open outcry trading to cover for the
absent Market Maker. However, an MMAT may only step in to cover for the
absent Market Maker if it is specifically named on the relevant OTP; if
such individual is not named, the OTP Holder or OTP Firm would be
charged the full monthly fee if it activates the OTP to allow that
individual to stand in for as briefly as one day.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ See Fee Schedule, available here, https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/arca-options/NYSE_Arca_Options_Fee_Schedule.pdf.
\5\ An OTP Holder is a natural person, in good standing, that
has been issued an OTP. See Rule 1.1.(q). An OTP Firm is a sole
proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company
or other organization in good standing, who has been issued an OTP
or upon whom an OTP Holder has conferred trading privileges on the
Exchange. See Rule 1.1.(r).
\6\ OTPs are issued by the Exchange for effecting approved
securities transactions on the Exchange's Trading Facilities. See
Rule 1.1.(p). The cost of each OTP ranges from $6,000, for the first
OTP, to $1,000 for the fifth or greater OTP, as the cost decreases
as the number of OTPs utilized per month increases. See supra n. 4.
The first OTP allows a Market Maker to quote in up to 175 issues; a
Market Maker is required to have four OTPs to quote all issues on
the Exchange. See id.
\7\ A Market Maker is an individual who is registered with the
Exchange for the purpose of making transactions as a dealer-
specialist on the Floor of the Exchange or for the purpose of
submitting quotes electronically and making transactions as a
dealer-specialist through the NYSE Arca OX electronic trading
system. See Rule 6.32(a).
\8\ A Market Maker Authorized Trader is an authorized trader who
performs market making activities pursuant to Rule 6 on behalf of an
OTP Holder or OTP Firm registered as a Market Maker. See Rule
6.1A(a)(9). A Market Maker Authorized Trader must meet the same
registration requirements as a Market Maker before they can be
designated as a Market Maker Authorized Trader. See Rule 6.33.
\9\ The Monthly OTP fee is based on the maximum number of OTPs
held by an OTP Firm or OTP Holder during a calendar month. See supra
n. 4, endnote 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 21434]]
To provide an option to Market Maker firms to address such short-
term absences in a more economical way, the Exchange recently adopted
paragraph (i) to Rule 6.2 (Admission to and Conduct on the Options
Trading Floor) to create a Reserve OTP.\10\ A Reserve OTP would permit
an OTP Holder or OTP Firm to have a qualified MMAT employee cover for
the absent Market Maker under the firm's OTP, effectively empowering
the individual acting as a qualified MMAT to act as a Market Maker in
lieu of the absent individual until such time as the absent Market
Maker returns.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77440 (March 24,
2016), (SR-NYSEArca-2016-50) (adopting Reserve OTP on immediately
effective basis, with waiver of 30-day operative delay). In its
filing, the Exchange noted that other options exchanges likewise
offer a ``Reserve'' concept. See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 66237 (January 25, 2012), 77 FR 4848 (January 31, 2012)
(SR-NYSEAmex-2012-02) (amending Rule 902NY to create a Reserve Floor
Market Maker Amex Trading Permit (``Reserve ATP'')).
\11\ See id.; see also Rule 6.2(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange now proposes to charge each OTP Holder and OTP Firm a
$175 monthly fee for a Reserve OTP. The fee would be assessed to each
OTP Holder and OTP Firm that notifies the Exchange that it would like
to utilize a Reserve OTP, such that an MMAT in its employ would be
eligible to be named to the OTP to act as a Floor Market Maker to cover
for another Floor Market Maker who is otherwise absent from the Trading
Floor that day. The proposed fee change would be implemented on April
1, 2016.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b) of the Act,\12\ in general, and furthers the
objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and (5) of the Act,\13\ in particular,
because it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues,
fees, and other charges among its members, issuers and other persons
using its facilities and does not unfairly discriminate between
customers, issuers, brokers or dealers.
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\12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
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The Exchange believes the proposed fee is equitably allocated and
not unfairly discriminatory because it would apply equally to all OTP
Holders or OTP Firms that opt to utilize the Reserve OTP alternative.
The Exchange believes that the proposed fee is reasonable because it
provides a method for OTP Holders and OTP Firms to have fully qualified
personnel step in for absent employees without having to pay the full
fee every month that the OTP is used by such substitute persons. The
Exchange believes the option of a Reserve OTP would encourage the
efficient use of personnel resources for OTP Holders and OTP Firms,
which contributes to fair and orderly markets. The Exchange notes that
the proposed $175 fee is consistent with fees on other option
exchanges.\14\
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\14\ See NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule, Section III.A.
(charging $175 monthly fee for Reserve Floor Market Maker ATP),
available here, https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/amex-options/NYSE_Amex_Options_Fee_Schedule.pdf.
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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,\15\ the Exchange
does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden
on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of
the purposes of the Act.
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\15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
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The proposed fee would enable the Exchange to compete more
effectively with options exchanges that already provide the cost-
effective alternative of a ``Reserve'' trading permit to address
personnel coverage for absent Floor Market Makers.\16\ The Exchange
believes that by improving the competitiveness of Exchange Market
Makers it would, in turn, promote competition for order flow among
market participants and the options exchanges.
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\16\ See supra n. 14.
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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 foregoing rule change is effective upon filing pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A) \17\ of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule
19b-4 \18\ thereunder, because it establishes a due, fee, or other
charge imposed by the Exchange.
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\17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under
Section 19(b)(2)(B) \19\ of the Act to determine whether the proposed
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
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\19\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File Number SR-NYSEARCA-2016-53 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-NYSEArca-2016-53. 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
[[Page 21435]]
submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-
NYSEArca-2016-53, and should be submitted on or before May 2, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
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\20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-08181 Filed 4-8-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P