Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change for a Temporary Suspension of Those Aspects of Rules 36.20-Equities and 36.21-Equities That Would Not Permit Floor Brokers To Use Personal Portable Phone Devices on the Trading Floor Due to the Unavailability of Floor Broker Telephone Services, 42779-42781 [2016-15500]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 126 / Thursday, June 30, 2016 / Notices
directly into the FCM Clearing
Member’s segregated futures account.
For the reasons stated above, OCC
believes that the proposed rule change
is designed to assure the safeguarding of
securities and funds which are in the
custody or control of OCC or for which
it is responsible in accordance with
Section 17A(b)(3)(F) of the Act 10 and is
reasonably designed to ensure that OCC
holds margin assets in a manner that
minimizes risk of loss or delay in its
access to them, consistent with Rule
17Ad–22(d)(3).11 The proposed rule
change is not inconsistent with the
existing rules of OCC, including any
other rules proposed to be amended.
(B) Clearing Agency’s Statement on
Burden on Competition
OCC does not believe that the
proposed rule change would have any
impact or impose any burden on
competition12 not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the Act
because it pertains solely to OCC’s
activities relating to the clearing of
commodity futures products subject to
the exclusive jurisdiction of the CFTC
and therefore would not have any
impact or impose any burden on
competition in securities markets or any
other market governed by the Act.
(C) Clearing Agency’s Statement on
Comments on the Proposed Rule
Change Received From Members,
Participants or Others
Written comments on the proposed
rule change were not and are not
intended to be solicited with respect to
the proposed rule change and none have
been received.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become
effective upon filing 13 pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 14 and
Rule 19b–4(f)(4)(ii) thereunder 15
because it effects a change in an existing
service of OCC that (i) primarily affects
the clearing operations of OCC with
respect to products that are not
securities, including futures that are not
security futures and (ii) does not
significantly affect any securities
clearing operations of OCC or any rights
or obligations of OCC with respect to
10 15
U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(F).
CFR 240.17Ad–22(d)(3).
12 15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)(3)(I).
13 Notwithstanding the immediate effectiveness of
the proposed rule change, implementation of this
rule change is also contingent on it being deemed
certified under CFTC Regulation § 40.6.
14 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
15 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(4)(ii).
11 17
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20:01 Jun 29, 2016
Jkt 238001
securities clearing or persons using such
securities-clearing service. At any time
within 60 days of the filing of the
proposed rule change, the Commission
summarily may temporarily suspend
such rule change if it appears to the
Commission that such action is
necessary or appropriate in the public
interest, for the protection of investors,
or otherwise in furtherance of the
purposes of the Act.
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–
OCC–2016–003 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–OCC–2016–003. 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
filings also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of OCC and on OCC’s Web site at
https://www.theocc.com/components/
docs/legal/rules_and_bylaws/sr_occ_16_
003.pdf.
All comments received will be posted
without change; the Commission does
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
42779
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–OCC–2016–003 and should
be submitted on or before July 21, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.16
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–15455 Filed 6–29–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–78155; File No. SR–
NYSEMKT–2016–64]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change for a Temporary
Suspension of Those Aspects of Rules
36.20—Equities and 36.21—Equities
That Would Not Permit Floor Brokers
To Use Personal Portable Phone
Devices on the Trading Floor Due to
the Unavailability of Floor Broker
Telephone Services
June 24, 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 June 24,
2016, NYSE MKT LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’
or ‘‘NYSE MKT’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I and II
below, which Items have been prepared
by the self-regulatory organization. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes a temporary
suspension of those aspects of Rules
36.20—Equities and 36.21—Equities
that would not permit Floor brokers to
use personal portable phone devices on
the Trading Floor due to the
unavailability of Floor broker telephone
services on June 24, 2016. The proposed
rule change is available on the
Exchange’s Web site at www.nyse.com,
at the principal office of the Exchange,
16 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 15 U.S.C. 78a.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
E:\FR\FM\30JNN1.SGM
30JNN1
42780
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 126 / Thursday, June 30, 2016 / Notices
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
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to temporarily
suspend those aspects of Rules 36.20—
Equities (‘‘Rule 36.20’’) and 36.21—
Equities (‘‘Rule 36.21’’) that would not
permit Floor brokers to use personal
portable phone devices on the Trading
Floor.4 As proposed, all other aspects of
Rule 36—Equities (‘‘Rule 36’’) remain
applicable and the temporary
suspensions of the applicable Rule 36
requirements are in effect on June 24,
2016 only.5
On June 24, 2016, the third-party
carrier that provides service for the
wired phone lines for Floor brokers
experienced an issue that affected the
availability of those phone lines. This
suspension of service only impacted the
service for telephone service for Floor
brokers and did not impact phone
service for Designated Market Makers.
The Exchange is working closely with
the third-party carrier to restore such
phone service.
Rules 36.20 and 36.21 govern the type
of telephone communications that are
approved for Floor brokers. Pursuant to
Rule 36.20, Floor brokers may maintain
a telephone line on the Trading Floor
and use Exchange authorized and
provided portable phones while on the
Trading Floor. The use of such
Exchange authorized and provided
portable phones is governed by Rule
36.21. Because of the issues with the
4 Pursuant to Rule 6A—Equities, the Trading
Floor is defined as the restricted-access physical
areas designated by the Exchange for the trading of
securities.
5 The Exchange provided Floor brokers with
notice of this rule filing, including the applicable
recordkeeping and other requirements related to
using personal cell phones during the temporary
suspension of Rule 36.
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20:01 Jun 29, 2016
Jkt 238001
third-party carrier, Floor brokers are
unable to reach their customers via their
third-party carrier wired telephone
lines. While Exchange-provided
portable phones are operating, not all
Floor brokers have Exchange-provided
and authorized portable phones.
However, the personal cell phones of
Floor brokers are operational on the
Trading Floor. The Exchange believes
that because communications with
customers is a vital part of a Floor
broker’s role as agent and therefore
contributes to maintaining a fair and
orderly market, during the period when
the phone lines are non-operational,
Floor brokers who do not have
Exchange authorized and provided
portable phones should be permitted to
use personal cell phone devices in lieu
of the non-operational wired phone
lines.6
The Exchange therefore proposes to
temporarily suspend the limitations in
Rules 36.20 and 36.21 that permit Floor
brokers to use only Exchange authorized
and provided portable phones so that
Floor brokers who do not have an
Exchange authorized and portable
phone may use personal cell phones on
the Trading Floor. The Exchange
proposes that pursuant to this
temporary suspension, Floor brokers
must provide the Exchange with the
names of all Floor-based personnel who
used personal portable phones during
this temporary suspension period,
together with the phone number and
applicable carrier for each number.
Floor broker member organizations must
maintain in their books and records all
cell phone records that show both
incoming and outgoing calls that were
made during the period that a personal
portable phone was used on the Trading
Floor. To the extent the records are
unavailable from the third-party carrier,
the Floor brokers must maintain
contemporaneous records of all calls
made or received on a personal portable
phone while on the Trading Floor. As
with all member organization records,
such cell phone records must be
provided to Exchange regulatory staff on
request.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b) of the Act,7 in general, and
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5)
of the Act,8 in particular, in that it is
designed to prevent fraudulent and
6 To the extent that the wired phone lines are
operational, Floor brokers must use those phone
lines rather than use a personal cell phone.
7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
PO 00000
Frm 00152
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, to foster cooperation and
coordination with persons engaged in
facilitating transactions in securities,
and to remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system.
In particular, because of issues
experienced by a third-party phone
carrier, wired phone lines are not
functional. The Exchange believes that
the proposed temporary suspensions
from those aspects of Rule 36 that
restrict Floor broker’s use of personal
portable phones on the Trading Floor
removes impediments to and perfects
the mechanism of a free and open
market and national market system
because the proposed relief will enable
Floor brokers who do not have an
Exchange authorized and provided
portable phone to conduct their regular
business, notwithstanding the ongoing
issues with telephone service. The
Exchange further believes that without
the requested relief, Floor brokers
would be compromised in their ability
to conduct their regular course of
business on the Trading Floor. In
particular, for Floor brokers, because
they operate as agents for customers,
their inability to communicate with
customers could compromise their
ability to represent public orders on the
Trading Floor.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act. The
Exchange does not believe that the
proposed rule change will impose any
burden on competition because the
proposed change only impacts Floor
brokers and has no change in operations
for other market participants or other
market centers. To the contrary, the
Exchange believes that without the
proposed relief, Floor brokers would be
compromised in their ability to conduct
their regular course of business on the
Trading Floor, thereby placing a burden
on the Floor brokers’ ability to compete.
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.
E:\FR\FM\30JNN1.SGM
30JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 126 / Thursday, June 30, 2016 / Notices
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The Exchange has filed the proposed
rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 9 and Rule
19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.10 Because the
proposed rule change does not: (i)
significantly affect the protection of
investors or the public interest; (ii)
impose any significant burden on
competition; and (iii) become operative
prior to 30 days from the date on which
it was filed, or such shorter time as the
Commission may designate, if
consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest, the
proposed rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)
of the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)
thereunder.11
A proposed rule change filed under
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the Act 12
normally does not become operative
prior to 30 days after the date of the
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii),13 the Commission may
designate a shorter time if such action
is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest. The
Exchange has asked the Commission to
waive the 30-day operative delay so that
the proposal may become operative
immediately upon filing. In support of
the request, the Exchange states that
waiver the 30-day operative delay will
allow the Exchange to invoke the relief
immediately upon filing, which is
necessary so that Floor brokers may be
able to communicate with their
customers on a day with significantly
increased volumes of trading due both
to the United Kingdom referendum vote
to leave the European Union and the
rebalancing of the Russell Investment
Group indices after the close of trading
on June 24, 2016. Based on the above,
the Commission believes that waiver of
the 30-day operative delay is consistent
with the protection of investors and the
public interest because it will permit
Floor brokers to remain in
communication with customers while
wired phone lines are unavailable.
Accordingly, the Commission
designates the proposed rule change as
9 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
the Commission written notice of its intent to file
the proposed rule change, along with a brief
description and text of the proposed rule change,
at least five business days prior to the date of filing
of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time
as designated by the Commission. The Commission
has determined to waive the five-day prefiling
period in this case.
12 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
13 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
10 17
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:01 Jun 29, 2016
Jkt 238001
operative upon filing with the
Commission.14
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) 15 of the Act to
determine whether the proposed rule
change should be approved or
disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
NYSEMKT–2016–64 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street
NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NYSEMKT–2016–64. 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.,
14 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
operative delay, the Commission has considered the
proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition,
and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
15 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
PO 00000
Frm 00153
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
42781
Washington, DC 20549 on official
business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of the Exchange. All comments
received will be posted without change;
the Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–
NYSEMKT–2016–64, and should be
submitted on or before July 21, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.16
Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–15500 Filed 6–29–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–78152; File No. SR–
NYSEArca–2016–90]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change to Temporarily Widen
Price Collar Thresholds for the Core
Open Auction and Trading Halt
Auctions
June 24, 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 June 24,
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 and II
below, which Items have been prepared
by the self-regulatory organization. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to temporarily
widen price collar thresholds for the
Core Open Auction and Trading Halt
Auctions, which would be operative on
June 24, 2016 only. 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
16 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 15 U.S.C. 78a.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
E:\FR\FM\30JNN1.SGM
30JNN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 126 (Thursday, June 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42779-42781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15500]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-78155; File No. SR-NYSEMKT-2016-64]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change for a Temporary
Suspension of Those Aspects of Rules 36.20--Equities and 36.21--
Equities That Would Not Permit Floor Brokers To Use Personal Portable
Phone Devices on the Trading Floor Due to the Unavailability of Floor
Broker Telephone Services
June 24, 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 June 24, 2016, NYSE MKT LLC (the ``Exchange'' or ``NYSE
MKT'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and
II below, which Items have been prepared by the 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 a temporary suspension of those aspects of
Rules 36.20--Equities and 36.21--Equities that would not permit Floor
brokers to use personal portable phone devices on the Trading Floor due
to the unavailability of Floor broker telephone services on June 24,
2016. The proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site
at www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the Exchange,
[[Page 42780]]
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 Exchange proposes to temporarily suspend those aspects of Rules
36.20--Equities (``Rule 36.20'') and 36.21--Equities (``Rule 36.21'')
that would not permit Floor brokers to use personal portable phone
devices on the Trading Floor.\4\ As proposed, all other aspects of Rule
36--Equities (``Rule 36'') remain applicable and the temporary
suspensions of the applicable Rule 36 requirements are in effect on
June 24, 2016 only.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Pursuant to Rule 6A--Equities, the Trading Floor is defined
as the restricted-access physical areas designated by the Exchange
for the trading of securities.
\5\ The Exchange provided Floor brokers with notice of this rule
filing, including the applicable recordkeeping and other
requirements related to using personal cell phones during the
temporary suspension of Rule 36.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On June 24, 2016, the third-party carrier that provides service for
the wired phone lines for Floor brokers experienced an issue that
affected the availability of those phone lines. This suspension of
service only impacted the service for telephone service for Floor
brokers and did not impact phone service for Designated Market Makers.
The Exchange is working closely with the third-party carrier to restore
such phone service.
Rules 36.20 and 36.21 govern the type of telephone communications
that are approved for Floor brokers. Pursuant to Rule 36.20, Floor
brokers may maintain a telephone line on the Trading Floor and use
Exchange authorized and provided portable phones while on the Trading
Floor. The use of such Exchange authorized and provided portable phones
is governed by Rule 36.21. Because of the issues with the third-party
carrier, Floor brokers are unable to reach their customers via their
third-party carrier wired telephone lines. While Exchange-provided
portable phones are operating, not all Floor brokers have Exchange-
provided and authorized portable phones. However, the personal cell
phones of Floor brokers are operational on the Trading Floor. The
Exchange believes that because communications with customers is a vital
part of a Floor broker's role as agent and therefore contributes to
maintaining a fair and orderly market, during the period when the phone
lines are non-operational, Floor brokers who do not have Exchange
authorized and provided portable phones should be permitted to use
personal cell phone devices in lieu of the non-operational wired phone
lines.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ To the extent that the wired phone lines are operational,
Floor brokers must use those phone lines rather than use a personal
cell phone.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange therefore proposes to temporarily suspend the
limitations in Rules 36.20 and 36.21 that permit Floor brokers to use
only Exchange authorized and provided portable phones so that Floor
brokers who do not have an Exchange authorized and portable phone may
use personal cell phones on the Trading Floor. The Exchange proposes
that pursuant to this temporary suspension, Floor brokers must provide
the Exchange with the names of all Floor-based personnel who used
personal portable phones during this temporary suspension period,
together with the phone number and applicable carrier for each number.
Floor broker member organizations must maintain in their books and
records all cell phone records that show both incoming and outgoing
calls that were made during the period that a personal portable phone
was used on the Trading Floor. To the extent the records are
unavailable from the third-party carrier, the Floor brokers must
maintain contemporaneous records of all calls made or received on a
personal portable phone while on the Trading Floor. As with all member
organization records, such cell phone records must be provided to
Exchange regulatory staff on request.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b) of the Act,\7\ in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\8\ in particular, in that it
is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices,
to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating
transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect
the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In particular, because of issues experienced by a third-party phone
carrier, wired phone lines are not functional. The Exchange believes
that the proposed temporary suspensions from those aspects of Rule 36
that restrict Floor broker's use of personal portable phones on the
Trading Floor removes impediments to and perfects the mechanism of a
free and open market and national market system because the proposed
relief will enable Floor brokers who do not have an Exchange authorized
and provided portable phone to conduct their regular business,
notwithstanding the ongoing issues with telephone service. The Exchange
further believes that without the requested relief, Floor brokers would
be compromised in their ability to conduct their regular course of
business on the Trading Floor. In particular, for Floor brokers,
because they operate as agents for customers, their inability to
communicate with customers could compromise their ability to represent
public orders on the Trading Floor.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange does not
believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on
competition because the proposed change only impacts Floor brokers and
has no change in operations for other market participants or other
market centers. To the contrary, the Exchange believes that without the
proposed relief, Floor brokers would be compromised in their ability to
conduct their regular course of business on the Trading Floor, thereby
placing a burden on the Floor brokers' ability to compete.
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.
[[Page 42781]]
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \9\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\10\
Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) significantly affect the
protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative prior to
30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as
the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.\11\
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\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along
with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
The Commission has determined to waive the five-day prefiling period
in this case.
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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the Act
\12\ normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date
of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\13\ the
Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent
with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange
has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that
the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. In support
of the request, the Exchange states that waiver the 30-day operative
delay will allow the Exchange to invoke the relief immediately upon
filing, which is necessary so that Floor brokers may be able to
communicate with their customers on a day with significantly increased
volumes of trading due both to the United Kingdom referendum vote to
leave the European Union and the rebalancing of the Russell Investment
Group indices after the close of trading on June 24, 2016. Based on the
above, the Commission believes that waiver of the 30-day operative
delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public
interest because it will permit Floor brokers to remain in
communication with customers while wired phone lines are unavailable.
Accordingly, the Commission designates the proposed rule change as
operative upon filing with the Commission.\14\
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\12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\14\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under
Section 19(b)(2)(B) \15\ of the Act to determine whether the proposed
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
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\15\ 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-NYSEMKT-2016-64 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEMKT-2016-64. This
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEMKT-2016-64, and should
be submitted on or before July 21, 2016.
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\16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\16\
Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-15500 Filed 6-29-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P