Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Amend Rule 6.67(c) by Revising the Clearing Member Requirement for Entering an Order Into the Electronic Order Capture System, 45349-45351 [2016-16480]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 13, 2016 / Notices
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 not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act. The
proposed rule change is not designed to
address any aspect of competition,
whether between the Exchange and its
competitors, or among market
participants. Instead, the proposed rule
change is designed to allow the SPY
Pilot Program to continue without
interruption. Additionally, the
Exchange expects other SROs will
propose similar extensions.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange has neither solicited
nor received comments on the proposed
rule change.
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing 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 for 30 days from the date on
which it was filed, or such shorter time
as the Commission may designate, it has
become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) thereunder.6
A proposed rule change filed
pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the
Act 7 normally does not become
operative for 30 days after the date of its
filing. However, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) 8
permits the Commission to designate a
shorter time if such action is consistent
with the protection of investors and the
public interest. The Exchange has asked
the Commission to waive the 30-day
operative delay so that the proposal may
become operative immediately upon
filing. The Exchange believes that
waiver of the operative delay is
consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest
because it will allow the SPY Pilot
Program to continue without
interruption. The Commission believes
6 17
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule
19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the
Commission with written notice of its intent to file
the proposed rule change, along with a brief
description and the 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.
7 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
8 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
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15:08 Jul 12, 2016
Jkt 238001
that waiving the 30-day operative delay
is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest.
Therefore, the Commission hereby
waives the operative delay and
designates the proposed rule change
operative upon filing.9
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. If the
Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
should be approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the 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–
BOX–2016–31 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–BOX–2016–31. 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
9 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).
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
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45349
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 Number SR–BOX–
2016–31, and should be submitted on or
before August 3, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.10
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–16488 Filed 7–12–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–78239; File No. SR–
NYSEArca–2016–15]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Order Instituting
Proceedings To Determine Whether To
Approve or Disapprove a Proposed
Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 1, To Amend Rule
6.67(c) by Revising the Clearing
Member Requirement for Entering an
Order Into the Electronic Order
Capture System
July 7, 2016.
I. Introduction
On March 22, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc.
(the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) filed
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant
to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule
19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule
change to amend Rule 6.67(c) to change
the timing for recording the name of the
Clearing Member 3 in the Electronic
Order Capture system (‘‘EOC’’). On
March 29, 2016,4 the Exchange filed
10 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 Rule 6.1(b)(3) defines ‘‘Clearing Member’’ as an
Exchange OTP which has been admitted to
membership in the Options Clearing Corporation
pursuant to the provisions of the Rules of the
Options Clearing Corporation.
4 The Commission notes that the amendment date
of March 30, 2016 in the SR–NYSEArca–2016–15
1 15
E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM
Continued
13JYN1
45350
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 13, 2016 / Notices
Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule
change. The Commission published the
proposed rule change, as modified by
Amendment No. 1, for comment in the
Federal Register on April 11, 2016.5
The Commission received no comments
on the proposed rule change. On May
25, 2016 the Commission extended the
time period within which to approve
the proposed rule change, disapprove
the proposed rule change, or institute
proceedings to determine whether to
approve or disapprove the proposed
rule change to July 10, 2016.6 The
Commission did not receive any
comments on the proposed rule change.
This order institutes proceedings under
section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act 7 to
determine whether to approve or
disapprove the proposed rule change, as
modified by Amendment No. 1 thereto.
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
II. Description of the Proposal, as
Modified by Amendment No. 1
The Exchange proposes to amend
Rule 6.67(c) by revising the timing for
an OTP holder to record the name of the
Clearing Member in the EOC.8 In 2000,
the Commission issued an order, which
required the Exchange, in coordination
with other exchanges, to ‘‘design and
implement a consolidated options audit
trail system (‘COATS’),’’ that would
‘‘enable the options exchanges to
reconstruct markets promptly,
effectively surveil them and enforce
order handling, firm quote, trade
reporting and other rules.’’ 9 The
Commission Order requires the
Exchange to incorporate into the audit
trail all non-electronic orders ‘‘such that
the audit trail provides an accurate,
time-sequenced record of electronic and
other orders, quotations and
transactions on such respondent
exchange, beginning with the receipt of
an order by such respondent exchange
and further documenting the life of the
order through the process of execution,
Notice is incorrect and the proper date is March 29,
2016.
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34–
77516 (April 5, 2016), 81 FR 21430 (‘‘Notice’’).
Amendment No.1 was included in the Notice and
provided the clarification that the CMTA
Information and the name of the clearing OTP
Holder would be entered into the EOC ‘‘as the
events occur and/or during trade reporting
procedures which may occur after the
representation and execution of the order.’’
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34–
77909 (May 25, 2016), 81 FR 35079 (June 1, 2016).
7 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
8 See Notice, supra note 5, 81 FR at 21431.
9 See Section IV.B.e.(v) of the Commission’s
Order Instituting Public Administrative Proceedings
Pursuant to sections 19(h)(1) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, Making Findings and
Imposing Remedial Sanctions (‘‘Commission
Order’’), Securities Exchange Act Release No. 43268
(September 11, 2000) and Administrative
Proceeding File No. 3–10282.
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15:08 Jul 12, 2016
Jkt 238001
partial execution, or cancellation of that
order, which audit trail shall be readily
retrievable in the common computer
format.’’ 10 To comply with the
Commission Order, the Exchange
developed the EOC system for OTP
holders.11
The EOC is the Exchange’s floor-based
electronic audit trail and order tracking
system that provides an accurate timesequenced record of all orders and
transactions represented on the
Exchange’s trading floor.12 Rule 6.67(c)
sets forth the EOC entry requirements
and requires every OTP holder that
receives an order for execution on the
Exchange to ‘‘immediately, prior to
representation in the trading crowd,
record the details of the order (including
any modification of the terms of the
order or cancellation of the order) into
the EOC, unless such order has been
entered into the Exchange’s other
electronic order processing facilities.’’ 13
The pre-trade EOC requirements under
current Rule 6.67(c)(1) include ‘‘the
name of the clearing OTP Holder.’’ 14
Rule 6.67(c)(1) further states that ‘‘[t]he
remaining elements prescribed in Rule
6.68(a) and any additional information
with respect to the order shall be
recorded as the events occur and/or
during trade reporting procedures
which may occur after the
representation and execution of the
order.’’ 15
The Exchange proposes to amend
Rule 6.67(c)(1) to allow an OTP Holder
to record the name of the Clearing
Member in the EOC ‘‘as the events occur
and/or during trade reporting
procedures’’ rather than prior to
representation of the order in the
trading crowd.16 The Exchange states
that because the identity of the firm
through which each trade will clear is
not always initially provided when an
order is presented, Floor Brokers
waiting to receive this information and
enter it into the EOC are delayed in
representing and executing an order.17
The Exchange represents that the
id.
Notice, supra note 5, 81 FR at 21431.
12 See id.; see also Rule 6.67(c).
13 See Rule 6.67(c).
14 See Rule 6.67(c)(1)(vii).
15 See Rule 6.67(c)(1); see also Rule 6.68(a)
(Record of Orders) (requiring that OTP Holders and
OTP Firms maintain a record of each order that
includes that the following data elements: (1)
CMTA Information and the name of the clearing
OTP Holder or Firm; (2) options symbol, expiration
month, exercise price and type of options; (3) side
of the market and order type; (4) quantity of
options; (5) limit or stop price or special conditions;
(6) opening or closing transaction; (7) time in force;
(8) account origin code; and (9) whether the order
was solicited or unsolicited).
16 See Notice, supra note 5, 81 FR at 21431.
17 See id.
PO 00000
10 See
11 See
Frm 00077
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
proposal would amend only the timing
for the recording of the Clearing
Member in the EOC while still
maintaining the requirement to record
the Clearing Member in the EOC for
audit trail purposes.18 According to the
Exchange, Floor Brokers would
continue to be required to maintain
proper order records, as part of each
trade record, including the identity of
the clearing OTP Holder, and would
continue to be required to give up the
responsible Clearing Member on each
trade as part of each trade record.19
III. Proceedings To Determine Whether
To Approve or Disapprove SR–
NYSEArca–2016–15 and Grounds for
Disapproval Under Consideration
The Commission is instituting
proceedings pursuant to section
19(b)(2)(B) of the Act 20 to determine
whether the proposed rule change
should be approved or disapproved.
Institution of such proceedings is
appropriate at this time in view of the
legal and policy issues raised by the
proposed rule change, as discussed
below. Institution of proceedings does
not indicate that the Commission has
reached any conclusions with respect to
any of the issues involved. Rather, as
described in greater detail below, the
Commission seeks and encourages
interested persons to provide additional
comment on the proposed rule change.
Pursuant to section 19(b)(2)(B) of the
Act, the Commission is providing notice
of the grounds for disapproval under
consideration. The Commission is
instituting proceedings because the
proposal raises important issues that
warrant further public comment and
Commission consideration. Specifically,
the Commission is instituting
proceedings to allow for additional
analysis of, and input from commenters
with respect to, the proposed rule
change’s consistency with section
6(b)(5) of the Act,21 which requires that
the rules of a national securities
exchange be designed, among other
things, to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, to remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism of a free and
18 See
id.
id. at 21431–32; see also Rule 6.68(a).
20 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the
Act also provides that proceedings to determine
whether to disapprove a proposed rule change must
be concluded within 180 days of the date of
publication of notice of the filing of the proposed
rule change. See id. The time for conclusion of the
proceedings may be extended for up to 60 days if
the Commission finds good cause for such
extension and publishes its reasons for so finding.
See id.
21 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
19 See
E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM
13JYN1
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 13, 2016 / Notices
open market and a national market
system and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest.
Under the Exchange’s current rules, a
floor broker must record the name of the
Clearing Member in the EOC prior to
representing an order on the floor. As
discussed above,22 the Exchange
developed the EOC and created the pretrade Clearing Member requirement in
response to the Commission Order. The
Exchange justifies the proposed
elimination of the pre-trade clearing
requirement by stating that ‘‘Floor
Brokers have told the Exchange that the
identity of the firm through which each
trade will clear is not always initially
provided when an order is presented
and that waiting to receive this
information and enter it into EOC can
delay the representation and execution
of an order. In today’s trading
environment of rapidly moving markets
and the need to execute an order and
hedge a trade in real or near real time,
even a slight delay can prove to be
detrimental to the handling of an
order.’’ 23 The Exchange further states
that the ‘‘proposed change to eliminate
the Give Up Requirement prior to
execution of each trade would not
impair the Exchange’s ability to comply
with the [Commission] Order.
Specifically, the EOC would still
provide an accurate, time-sequenced
record beginning with the receipt of an
order and document the life of the order
through the process of execution, partial
execution, or cancellation. Entry of
information pursuant to the Give Up
Requirement would occur after the
order had been represented and
executed in the Trading Crowd. Thus,
only the timing of the disclosure of such
information would be affected by this
proposal.’’ 24
The Exchange, however, does not
explain why the identity of the Clearing
Member may not be provided when an
order is presented to a Floor Broker,
how frequently this occurs, or why it is
burdensome to identify the Clearing
Member in advance. As a result, the
Exchange does not appear to offer a
credible justification for proposing to
incur the risk of delaying the recording
of this important information into the
EOC. The Commission accordingly
believes the proposal, as modified by
Amendment No. 1, raises questions as to
whether it consistent with the
requirements of section 6(b)(5) of the
Act, including whether the proposal is
designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to
22 See
supra note 9.
23 See Notice, supra note 5, 81 FR at 21431.
24 See id.
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15:08 Jul 12, 2016
Jkt 238001
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, to remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest.
IV. Procedure: Request for Written
Comments
The Commission requests that
interested persons provide written
submissions of their views, data and
arguments with respect to the concerns
identified above, as well as any other
concerns they may have with the
proposed rule change. In particular, the
Commission invites the written views of
interested persons concerning whether
the proposal, as modified by
Amendment No. 1, is consistent with
sections 6(b)(5) 25 or any other provision
of the Act, or the rules and regulations
thereunder. Although there does not
appear to be any issue relevant to
approval or disapproval which would
be facilitated by an oral presentation of
views, data, and arguments, the
Commission will consider, pursuant to
Rule 19b–4 under the Act,26 any request
for an opportunity to make an oral
presentation.27 Interested persons are
invited to submit written data, views,
and arguments regarding whether the
proposal should be approved or
disapproved by August 3, 2016. Any
person who wishes to file a rebuttal to
any other person’s submission must file
that rebuttal by August 17, 2016. In light
of the concerns raised by the proposed
rule change, as discussed above, the
Commission invites additional comment
on the proposed rule change as the
Commission continues its analysis of
the proposed rule change’s consistency
with sections 6(b)(5) and 6(b)(8),28 or
any other provision of the Act, or the
rules and regulations thereunder. The
Commission asks that commenters
address the sufficiency and merit of the
Exchange’s statements in support of the
proposed rule change, in addition to any
other comments they may wish to
submit about the proposed rule change.
Comments may be submitted by any
of the following methods:
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
CFR 240.19b–4.
27 Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, as amended by the
Securities Act Amendments of 1975, Public Law
94–29 (June 4, 1975), grants to the Commission
flexibility to determine what type of proceeding—
either oral or notice and opportunity for written
comments—is appropriate for consideration of a
particular proposal by a self-regulatory
organization. See Securities Act Amendments of
1975, Senate Comm. on Banking, Housing & Urban
Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st Sess. 30
(1975).
28 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5), (b)(8).
PO 00000
25 15
26 17
Frm 00078
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
45351
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File No. SR–
NYSEArca–2016–15 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549–1090.
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 by
August 3, 2016. Rebuttal comments
should be submitted by August 17,
2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.29
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–16480 Filed 7–12–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
29 17
E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM
CFR 200.30–3(a)(57).
13JYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45349-45351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16480]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-78239; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2016-15]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Instituting
Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed
Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Amend Rule 6.67(c) by
Revising the Clearing Member Requirement for Entering an Order Into the
Electronic Order Capture System
July 7, 2016.
I. Introduction
On March 22, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``NYSE
Arca'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``Commission''), pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ a
proposed rule change to amend Rule 6.67(c) to change the timing for
recording the name of the Clearing Member \3\ in the Electronic Order
Capture system (``EOC''). On March 29, 2016,\4\ the Exchange filed
[[Page 45350]]
Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change. The Commission published
the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, for comment
in the Federal Register on April 11, 2016.\5\ The Commission received
no comments on the proposed rule change. On May 25, 2016 the Commission
extended the time period within which to approve the proposed rule
change, disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings
to determine whether to approve or disapprove the proposed rule change
to July 10, 2016.\6\ The Commission did not receive any comments on the
proposed rule change. This order institutes proceedings under section
19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \7\ to determine whether to approve or
disapprove the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1
thereto.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ Rule 6.1(b)(3) defines ``Clearing Member'' as an Exchange
OTP which has been admitted to membership in the Options Clearing
Corporation pursuant to the provisions of the Rules of the Options
Clearing Corporation.
\4\ The Commission notes that the amendment date of March 30,
2016 in the SR-NYSEArca-2016-15 Notice is incorrect and the proper
date is March 29, 2016.
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-77516 (April 5,
2016), 81 FR 21430 (``Notice''). Amendment No.1 was included in the
Notice and provided the clarification that the CMTA Information and
the name of the clearing OTP Holder would be entered into the EOC
``as the events occur and/or during trade reporting procedures which
may occur after the representation and execution of the order.''
\6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-77909 (May 25,
2016), 81 FR 35079 (June 1, 2016).
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Description of the Proposal, as Modified by Amendment No. 1
The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 6.67(c) by revising the timing
for an OTP holder to record the name of the Clearing Member in the
EOC.\8\ In 2000, the Commission issued an order, which required the
Exchange, in coordination with other exchanges, to ``design and
implement a consolidated options audit trail system (`COATS'),'' that
would ``enable the options exchanges to reconstruct markets promptly,
effectively surveil them and enforce order handling, firm quote, trade
reporting and other rules.'' \9\ The Commission Order requires the
Exchange to incorporate into the audit trail all non-electronic orders
``such that the audit trail provides an accurate, time-sequenced record
of electronic and other orders, quotations and transactions on such
respondent exchange, beginning with the receipt of an order by such
respondent exchange and further documenting the life of the order
through the process of execution, partial execution, or cancellation of
that order, which audit trail shall be readily retrievable in the
common computer format.'' \10\ To comply with the Commission Order, the
Exchange developed the EOC system for OTP holders.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ See Notice, supra note 5, 81 FR at 21431.
\9\ See Section IV.B.e.(v) of the Commission's Order Instituting
Public Administrative Proceedings Pursuant to sections 19(h)(1) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Making Findings and Imposing
Remedial Sanctions (``Commission Order''), Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 43268 (September 11, 2000) and Administrative Proceeding
File No. 3-10282.
\10\ See id.
\11\ See Notice, supra note 5, 81 FR at 21431.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The EOC is the Exchange's floor-based electronic audit trail and
order tracking system that provides an accurate time-sequenced record
of all orders and transactions represented on the Exchange's trading
floor.\12\ Rule 6.67(c) sets forth the EOC entry requirements and
requires every OTP holder that receives an order for execution on the
Exchange to ``immediately, prior to representation in the trading
crowd, record the details of the order (including any modification of
the terms of the order or cancellation of the order) into the EOC,
unless such order has been entered into the Exchange's other electronic
order processing facilities.'' \13\ The pre-trade EOC requirements
under current Rule 6.67(c)(1) include ``the name of the clearing OTP
Holder.'' \14\ Rule 6.67(c)(1) further states that ``[t]he remaining
elements prescribed in Rule 6.68(a) and any additional information with
respect to the order shall be recorded as the events occur and/or
during trade reporting procedures which may occur after the
representation and execution of the order.'' \15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ See id.; see also Rule 6.67(c).
\13\ See Rule 6.67(c).
\14\ See Rule 6.67(c)(1)(vii).
\15\ See Rule 6.67(c)(1); see also Rule 6.68(a) (Record of
Orders) (requiring that OTP Holders and OTP Firms maintain a record
of each order that includes that the following data elements: (1)
CMTA Information and the name of the clearing OTP Holder or Firm;
(2) options symbol, expiration month, exercise price and type of
options; (3) side of the market and order type; (4) quantity of
options; (5) limit or stop price or special conditions; (6) opening
or closing transaction; (7) time in force; (8) account origin code;
and (9) whether the order was solicited or unsolicited).
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The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 6.67(c)(1) to allow an OTP
Holder to record the name of the Clearing Member in the EOC ``as the
events occur and/or during trade reporting procedures'' rather than
prior to representation of the order in the trading crowd.\16\ The
Exchange states that because the identity of the firm through which
each trade will clear is not always initially provided when an order is
presented, Floor Brokers waiting to receive this information and enter
it into the EOC are delayed in representing and executing an order.\17\
The Exchange represents that the proposal would amend only the timing
for the recording of the Clearing Member in the EOC while still
maintaining the requirement to record the Clearing Member in the EOC
for audit trail purposes.\18\ According to the Exchange, Floor Brokers
would continue to be required to maintain proper order records, as part
of each trade record, including the identity of the clearing OTP
Holder, and would continue to be required to give up the responsible
Clearing Member on each trade as part of each trade record.\19\
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\16\ See Notice, supra note 5, 81 FR at 21431.
\17\ See id.
\18\ See id.
\19\ See id. at 21431-32; see also Rule 6.68(a).
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III. Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove SR-
NYSEArca-2016-15 and Grounds for Disapproval Under Consideration
The Commission is instituting proceedings pursuant to section
19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \20\ to determine whether the proposed rule
change should be approved or disapproved. Institution of such
proceedings is appropriate at this time in view of the legal and policy
issues raised by the proposed rule change, as discussed below.
Institution of proceedings does not indicate that the Commission has
reached any conclusions with respect to any of the issues involved.
Rather, as described in greater detail below, the Commission seeks and
encourages interested persons to provide additional comment on the
proposed rule change.
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\20\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act also
provides that proceedings to determine whether to disapprove a
proposed rule change must be concluded within 180 days of the date
of publication of notice of the filing of the proposed rule change.
See id. The time for conclusion of the proceedings may be extended
for up to 60 days if the Commission finds good cause for such
extension and publishes its reasons for so finding. See id.
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Pursuant to section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act, the Commission is
providing notice of the grounds for disapproval under consideration.
The Commission is instituting proceedings because the proposal raises
important issues that warrant further public comment and Commission
consideration. Specifically, the Commission is instituting proceedings
to allow for additional analysis of, and input from commenters with
respect to, the proposed rule change's consistency with section 6(b)(5)
of the Act,\21\ which requires that the rules of a national securities
exchange be designed, among other things, to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism
of a free and
[[Page 45351]]
open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest.
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\21\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Under the Exchange's current rules, a floor broker must record the
name of the Clearing Member in the EOC prior to representing an order
on the floor. As discussed above,\22\ the Exchange developed the EOC
and created the pre-trade Clearing Member requirement in response to
the Commission Order. The Exchange justifies the proposed elimination
of the pre-trade clearing requirement by stating that ``Floor Brokers
have told the Exchange that the identity of the firm through which each
trade will clear is not always initially provided when an order is
presented and that waiting to receive this information and enter it
into EOC can delay the representation and execution of an order. In
today's trading environment of rapidly moving markets and the need to
execute an order and hedge a trade in real or near real time, even a
slight delay can prove to be detrimental to the handling of an order.''
\23\ The Exchange further states that the ``proposed change to
eliminate the Give Up Requirement prior to execution of each trade
would not impair the Exchange's ability to comply with the [Commission]
Order. Specifically, the EOC would still provide an accurate, time-
sequenced record beginning with the receipt of an order and document
the life of the order through the process of execution, partial
execution, or cancellation. Entry of information pursuant to the Give
Up Requirement would occur after the order had been represented and
executed in the Trading Crowd. Thus, only the timing of the disclosure
of such information would be affected by this proposal.'' \24\
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\22\ See supra note 9.
\23\ See Notice, supra note 5, 81 FR at 21431.
\24\ See id.
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The Exchange, however, does not explain why the identity of the
Clearing Member may not be provided when an order is presented to a
Floor Broker, how frequently this occurs, or why it is burdensome to
identify the Clearing Member in advance. As a result, the Exchange does
not appear to offer a credible justification for proposing to incur the
risk of delaying the recording of this important information into the
EOC. The Commission accordingly believes the proposal, as modified by
Amendment No. 1, raises questions as to whether it consistent with the
requirements of section 6(b)(5) of the Act, including whether the
proposal is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and
a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the
public interest.
IV. Procedure: Request for Written Comments
The Commission requests that interested persons provide written
submissions of their views, data and arguments with respect to the
concerns identified above, as well as any other concerns they may have
with the proposed rule change. In particular, the Commission invites
the written views of interested persons concerning whether the
proposal, as modified by Amendment No. 1, is consistent with sections
6(b)(5) \25\ or any other provision of the Act, or the rules and
regulations thereunder. Although there does not appear to be any issue
relevant to approval or disapproval which would be facilitated by an
oral presentation of views, data, and arguments, the Commission will
consider, pursuant to Rule 19b-4 under the Act,\26\ any request for an
opportunity to make an oral presentation.\27\ Interested persons are
invited to submit written data, views, and arguments regarding whether
the proposal should be approved or disapproved by August 3, 2016. Any
person who wishes to file a rebuttal to any other person's submission
must file that rebuttal by August 17, 2016. In light of the concerns
raised by the proposed rule change, as discussed above, the Commission
invites additional comment on the proposed rule change as the
Commission continues its analysis of the proposed rule change's
consistency with sections 6(b)(5) and 6(b)(8),\28\ or any other
provision of the Act, or the rules and regulations thereunder. The
Commission asks that commenters address the sufficiency and merit of
the Exchange's statements in support of the proposed rule change, in
addition to any other comments they may wish to submit about the
proposed rule change.
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\25\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
\26\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\27\ Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, as amended by the Securities
Act Amendments of 1975, Public Law 94-29 (June 4, 1975), grants to
the Commission flexibility to determine what type of proceeding--
either oral or notice and opportunity for written comments--is
appropriate for consideration of a particular proposal by a self-
regulatory organization. See Securities Act Amendments of 1975,
Senate Comm. on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75,
94th Cong., 1st Sess. 30 (1975).
\28\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5), (b)(8).
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Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
Electronic Comments
Use the Commission's Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File No. SR-NYSEArca-2016-15 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
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 by August 3, 2016. Rebuttal comments should be submitted by
August 17, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\29\
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\29\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(57).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-16480 Filed 7-12-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P