Foreside Advisor Services, LLC, et al.; Notice of Application, 63541-63543 [2016-22126]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 179 / Thursday, September 15, 2016 / Notices the risks being mitigated by such charges. (C) Clearing Agency’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others FICC has not received any written comments relating to this proposal. FICC will notify the Commission of any written comments received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change, and Timing for Commission Action Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will: (A) By order approve or disapprove such proposed rule change, or (B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 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– FICC–2016–006 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–FICC–2016–006. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:34 Sep 14, 2016 Jkt 238001 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 FICC and on DTCC’s Web site (https://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rulefilings.aspx). 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–FICC– 2016–006 and should be submitted on or before October 6, 2016. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.11 Brent J. Fields, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–22156 Filed 9–14–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Investment Company Act Release No. IC– 32256; 812–14659] Foreside Advisor Services, LLC, et al.; Notice of Application September 9, 2016. Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’). ACTION: Notice of an application for an order under section 6(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the ‘‘Act’’) for an exemption from sections 2(a)(32), 5(a)(1), 22(d), and 22(e) of the Act and rule 22c–1 under the Act, under sections 6(c) and 17(b) of the Act for an exemption from sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(2) of the Act, and under section 12(d)(1)(J) for an exemption from sections 12(d)(1)(A) and 12(d)(1)(B) of the Act. The requested order would permit (a) actively-managed series of certain open-end management investment companies (‘‘Funds’’) to issue shares redeemable in large aggregations only (‘‘Creation Units’’); (b) secondary market transactions in Fund shares to occur at negotiated market prices rather than at net asset value (‘‘NAV’’); (c) certain Funds to pay AGENCY: 11 17 PO 00000 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). Frm 00075 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63541 redemption proceeds, under certain circumstances, more than seven days after the tender of shares for redemption; (d) certain affiliated persons of a Fund to deposit securities into, and receive securities from, the Fund in connection with the purchase and redemption of Creation Units; (e) certain registered management investment companies and unit investment trusts outside of the same group of investment companies as the Funds (‘‘Funds of Funds’’) to acquire shares of the Funds; and (f) certain Funds (‘‘Feeder Funds’’) to create and redeem Creation Units in-kind in a master-feeder structure. Foreside Advisor Services, LLC (‘‘FAS’’), a Delaware Corporation that will be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Foreside ETF Trust (‘‘Trust’’), a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Act as an open-end management investment company with multiple series, and Foreside Fund Services, LLC (‘‘Distributor’’), a Delaware limited liability company and broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’). FILING DATES: The application was filed on June 6, 2016, and amended on August 26, 2016. HEARING OR NOTIFICATION OF HEARING: An order granting the requested relief will be issued unless the Commission orders a hearing. Interested persons may request a hearing by writing to the Commission’s Secretary and serving applicants with a copy of the request, personally or by mail. Hearing requests should be received by the Commission by 5:30 p.m. on October 4, 2016, and should be accompanied by proof of service on applicants, in the form of an affidavit, or for lawyers, a certificate of service. Pursuant to rule 0–5 under the Act, hearing requests should state the nature of the writer’s interest, any facts bearing upon the desirability of a hearing on the matter, the reason for the request, and the issues contested. Persons who wish to be notified of a hearing may request notification by writing to the Commission’s Secretary. ADDRESSES: Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090; Applicants: Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth G. Miller, Senior Counsel, at (202) 551–8707, or Holly Hunter-Ceci, Branch Chief, at (202) 551–6825 (Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel’s Office). APPLICANTS: E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM 15SEN1 63542 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 179 / Thursday, September 15, 2016 / Notices The following is a summary of the application. The complete application may be obtained via the Commission’s Web site by searching for the file number, or for an applicant using the Company name box, at https:// www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by calling (202) 551–8090. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Summary of the Application 1. Applicants request an order that would allow Funds to operate as actively-managed exchange traded funds (‘‘ETFs’’).1 Fund shares will be purchased and redeemed at their NAV in Creation Units only. All orders to purchase Creation Units and all redemption requests will be placed by or through an ‘‘Authorized Participant’’, which will have signed a participant agreement with the Distributor. Shares will be listed and traded individually on a national securities exchange, where share prices will be based on the current bid/offer market. Certain Funds may operate as Feeder Funds in a masterfeeder structure. Any order granting the requested relief would be subject to the terms and conditions stated in the application. 2. Each Fund will consist of a portfolio of securities and other assets and investment positions (‘‘Portfolio Instruments’’). Each Fund will disclose on its Web site the identities and quantities of the Portfolio Instruments that will form the basis for the Fund’s calculation of NAV at the end of the day. 3. Shares will be purchased and redeemed in Creation Units and generally on an in-kind basis. Except where the purchase or redemption will include cash under the limited circumstances specified in the application, purchasers will be required to purchase Creation Units by depositing specified instruments (‘‘Deposit Instruments’’), and shareholders redeeming their shares will receive specified instruments (‘‘Redemption Instruments’’). The Deposit Instruments and the Redemption Instruments will each correspond pro rata to the positions in the Fund’s portfolio (including cash positions) except as specified in the application. 1 Applicants request that the order apply to the new series of the Trust as well as to additional series of the Trust and any other open-end management investment company or series thereof that may be created in the future (each, included in the term ‘‘Fund’’), each of which will operate as an actively-managed ETF. Any Fund will (a) be advised by FAS or an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with FAS (each, an ‘‘Adviser’’) and (b) comply with the terms and conditions of the application. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:34 Sep 14, 2016 Jkt 238001 4. Because shares will not be individually redeemable, applicants request an exemption from section 5(a)(1) and section 2(a)(32) of the Act that would permit the Funds to register as open-end management investment companies and issue shares that are redeemable in Creation Units only. 5. Applicants also request an exemption from section 22(d) of the Act and rule 22c–1 under the Act as secondary market trading in shares will take place at negotiated prices, not at a current offering price described in a Fund’s prospectus, and not at a price based on NAV. Applicants state that (a) secondary market trading in shares does not involve a Fund as a party and will not result in dilution of an investment in shares, and (b) to the extent different prices exist during a given trading day, or from day to day, such variances occur as a result of third-party market forces, such as supply and demand. Therefore, applicants assert that secondary market transactions in shares will not lead to discrimination or preferential treatment among purchasers. Finally, applicants represent that share market prices will be disciplined by arbitrage opportunities, which should prevent shares from trading at a material discount or premium from NAV. 6. With respect to Funds that hold non-U.S. Portfolio Instruments and that effect creations and redemptions of Creation Units in kind, applicants request relief from the requirement imposed by section 22(e) in order to allow such Funds to pay redemption proceeds within fifteen calendar days following the tender of Creation Units for redemption. Applicants assert that the requested relief would not be inconsistent with the spirit and intent of section 22(e) to prevent unreasonable, undisclosed or unforeseen delays in the actual payment of redemption proceeds. 7. Applicants request an exemption to permit Funds of Funds to acquire Fund shares beyond the limits of section 12(d)(1)(A) of the Act; and the Funds, and any principal underwriter for the Funds, and/or any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act, to sell shares to Funds of Funds beyond the limits of section 12(d)(1)(B) of the Act. The application’s terms and conditions are designed to, among other things, help prevent any potential (i) undue influence over a Fund through control or voting power, or in connection with certain services, transactions, and underwritings, (ii) excessive layering of fees, and (iii) overly complex fund structures, which are the concerns underlying the limits in sections 12(d)(1)(A) and (B) of the Act. PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8. Applicants request an exemption from sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(2) of the Act to permit persons that are Affiliated Persons, or Second Tier Affiliates, of the Funds, solely by virtue of certain ownership interests, to effectuate purchases and redemptions in-kind. The deposit procedures for in-kind purchases of Creation Units and the redemption procedures for in-kind redemptions of Creation Units will be the same for all purchases and redemptions and Deposit Instruments and Redemption Instruments will be valued in the same manner as those Portfolio Instruments currently held by the Funds. Applicants also seek relief from the prohibitions on affiliated transactions in section 17(a) to permit a Fund to sell its shares to and redeem its shares from a Fund of Funds, and to engage in the accompanying in-kind transactions with the Fund of Funds.2 The purchase of Creation Units by a Fund of Funds directly from a Fund will be accomplished in accordance with the policies of the Fund of Funds and will be based on the NAVs of the Funds. 9. Applicants also request relief to permit a Feeder Fund to acquire shares of another registered investment company managed by the Adviser having substantially the same investment objectives as the Feeder Fund (‘‘Master Fund’’) beyond the limitations in section 12(d)(1)(A) and permit the Master Fund, and any principal underwriter for the Master Fund, to sell shares of the Master Fund to the Feeder Fund beyond the limitations in section 12(d)(1)(B). 10. Section 6(c) of the Act permits the Commission to exempt any persons or transactions from any provision of the Act if such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the Act. Section 12(d)(1)(J) of the Act provides that the Commission may exempt any person, security, or transaction, or any class or classes of persons, securities, or transactions, from any provision of section 12(d)(1) if the exemption is consistent with the public interest and the protection of investors. Section 17(b) of the Act authorizes the Commission to grant an order 2 The requested relief would apply to direct sales of shares in Creation Units by a Fund to a Fund of Funds and redemptions of those shares. Applicants, moreover, are not seeking relief from section 17(a) for, and the requested relief will not apply to, transactions where a Fund could be deemed an Affiliated Person, or a Second-Tier Affiliate, of a Fund of Funds because an Adviser or an entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with an Adviser provides investment advisory services to that Fund of Funds. E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM 15SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 179 / Thursday, September 15, 2016 / Notices permitting a transaction otherwise prohibited by section 17(a) if it finds that (a) the terms of the proposed transaction are fair and reasonable and do not involve overreaching on the part of any person concerned; (b) the proposed transaction is consistent with the policies of each registered investment company involved; and (c) the proposed transaction is consistent with the general purposes of the Act. For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, under delegated authority. Brent J. Fields, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–22126 Filed 9–14–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–78809; File No. SR– NYSEArca–2016–104] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change Amending NYSE Arca Equities Rules 2.16(c) and 2.21(i) Regarding the Timing for Submission of a Uniform Termination Notice for Securities Industry Registration (‘‘Form U5’’) by an ETP Holder September 9, 2016. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES I. Introduction On July 14, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 a proposed rule change to amend NYSE Arca Equities Rules 2.16, Amendments to ETP Documents, and 2.21, Employees of ETP Holders Registration. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on July 27, 2016.4 The Commission received no comment letters on the proposed rule change. This order approves the proposed rule change. II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange currently has two different requirements in its rules governing when a Form U5 must be filed: NYSE Arca Equities Rule 2.16(c) requires an ETP Holder to file a Form U5 and any amendment thereto within 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 15 U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78383 (July 21, 2016), 81 FR 49309 (‘‘Notice’’). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:34 Sep 14, 2016 Jkt 238001 30 days of ‘‘when a person associated with that ETP Holder terminates their [sic] affiliation with an ETP Holder’’; Rule 2.21(i) requires an ETP Holder to file a Form U5 and any amendment thereto within 30 business days of the termination date, ‘‘when a person’s employment by such ETP Holder terminates.’’ The Exchange proposed to amend these two rules to make the time frame within which a Form U5 must be submitted the same. As revised, an ETP Holder must promptly file a Form U5 with the Central Registration Depository (‘‘CRD’’), but not later than 30 calendar days after the date of termination of a person associated with the ETP Holder or of an employee, as applicable. The proposed rule change also requires that any amendment to a Form U5 be filed promptly with CRD, but not later than 30 calendar days after learning of the facts or circumstances giving rise to the amendment. Finally, the proposed rule change requires that all Forms U5 be provided to the terminated person concurrently with filing with CRD. This last requirement is new but is consistent with the rules of other SROs. III. Discussion and Commission Findings After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.5 In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,6 in general, and with the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),7 in particular, which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanism of, a free and open market and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. The Commission notes that the change to Rule 2.21 shortens the time within which the Form U5 must be submitted from 30 business days to 30 calendar days. (The change to Rule 2.16 merely adds ‘‘calendar’’ to modify the number of days. The Exchange made this change so that the two rules would be consistent.) Shortening the time within which a Form U5 must be submitted is important, as the Form U5 5 In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63543 must be filed by member firms when they terminate the association of a registered person, or employee. The Form U5 includes the reason for termination of the registered person, which is important when a firm has terminated a registered person for cause. State regulators use the information on Form U5 to determine whether to approve requests by a firm to have an associated person registered in a particular state. Broker-dealer firms review the information on Form U5 when they are deciding whether to hire a registered person. Therefore, the sooner the Form U5 is filed the sooner regulators and broker-dealers will have access to the information. Thus, shortening the time within which a Form U5 must be submitted, so that regulators and broker-dealers can have access to the information sooner, would remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanism of, a free and open market and protect investors and the public interest. For these reasons, the Commission believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. IV. Conclusion It Is Therefore Ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,8 that the proposed rule change (SR–NYSEArca– 2016–104) be, and hereby is, approved. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.9 Brent J. Fields, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–22158 Filed 9–14–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–78804; File No. SR– NYSEMKT–2016–58] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Instituting Proceedings to Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, Relating to Amendments to NYSE MKT Rules 1600 et seq. and the Listing Rules Applicable to the Shares of the Nuveen Diversified Commodity Fund and the Nuveen Long/Short Commodity Total Return Fund September 9, 2016. On May 24, 2016, NYSE MKT LLC (‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act 8 15 9 17 E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 15SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 179 (Thursday, September 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63541-63543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22126]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Investment Company Act Release No. IC-32256; 812-14659]


Foreside Advisor Services, LLC, et al.; Notice of Application

September 9, 2016.

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'').

ACTION: Notice of an application for an order under section 6(c) of the 
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the ``Act'') for an exemption from 
sections 2(a)(32), 5(a)(1), 22(d), and 22(e) of the Act and rule 22c-1 
under the Act, under sections 6(c) and 17(b) of the Act for an 
exemption from sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(2) of the Act, and under 
section 12(d)(1)(J) for an exemption from sections 12(d)(1)(A) and 
12(d)(1)(B) of the Act. The requested order would permit (a) actively-
managed series of certain open-end management investment companies 
(``Funds'') to issue shares redeemable in large aggregations only 
(``Creation Units''); (b) secondary market transactions in Fund shares 
to occur at negotiated market prices rather than at net asset value 
(``NAV''); (c) certain Funds to pay redemption proceeds, under certain 
circumstances, more than seven days after the tender of shares for 
redemption; (d) certain affiliated persons of a Fund to deposit 
securities into, and receive securities from, the Fund in connection 
with the purchase and redemption of Creation Units; (e) certain 
registered management investment companies and unit investment trusts 
outside of the same group of investment companies as the Funds (``Funds 
of Funds'') to acquire shares of the Funds; and (f) certain Funds 
(``Feeder Funds'') to create and redeem Creation Units in-kind in a 
master-feeder structure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

APPLICANTS:  Foreside Advisor Services, LLC (``FAS''), a Delaware 
Corporation that will be registered as an investment adviser under the 
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Foreside ETF Trust (``Trust''), a 
Delaware statutory trust registered under the Act as an open-end 
management investment company with multiple series, and Foreside Fund 
Services, LLC (``Distributor''), a Delaware limited liability company 
and broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Exchange Act'').

FILING DATES: The application was filed on June 6, 2016, and amended on 
August 26, 2016.

HEARING OR NOTIFICATION OF HEARING:  An order granting the requested 
relief will be issued unless the Commission orders a hearing. 
Interested persons may request a hearing by writing to the Commission's 
Secretary and serving applicants with a copy of the request, personally 
or by mail. Hearing requests should be received by the Commission by 
5:30 p.m. on October 4, 2016, and should be accompanied by proof of 
service on applicants, in the form of an affidavit, or for lawyers, a 
certificate of service. Pursuant to rule 0-5 under the Act, hearing 
requests should state the nature of the writer's interest, any facts 
bearing upon the desirability of a hearing on the matter, the reason 
for the request, and the issues contested. Persons who wish to be 
notified of a hearing may request notification by writing to the 
Commission's Secretary.

ADDRESSES: Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, 
NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090; Applicants: Three Canal Plaza, Suite 
100, Portland, ME 04101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth G. Miller, Senior Counsel, 
at (202) 551-8707, or Holly Hunter-Ceci, Branch Chief, at (202) 551-
6825 (Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel's Office).

[[Page 63542]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a summary of the 
application. The complete application may be obtained via the 
Commission's Web site by searching for the file number, or for an 
applicant using the Company name box, at https://www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by calling (202) 551-8090.

Summary of the Application

    1. Applicants request an order that would allow Funds to operate as 
actively-managed exchange traded funds (``ETFs'').\1\ Fund shares will 
be purchased and redeemed at their NAV in Creation Units only. All 
orders to purchase Creation Units and all redemption requests will be 
placed by or through an ``Authorized Participant'', which will have 
signed a participant agreement with the Distributor. Shares will be 
listed and traded individually on a national securities exchange, where 
share prices will be based on the current bid/offer market. Certain 
Funds may operate as Feeder Funds in a master-feeder structure. Any 
order granting the requested relief would be subject to the terms and 
conditions stated in the application.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Applicants request that the order apply to the new series of 
the Trust as well as to additional series of the Trust and any other 
open-end management investment company or series thereof that may be 
created in the future (each, included in the term ``Fund''), each of 
which will operate as an actively-managed ETF. Any Fund will (a) be 
advised by FAS or an entity controlling, controlled by, or under 
common control with FAS (each, an ``Adviser'') and (b) comply with 
the terms and conditions of the application.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. Each Fund will consist of a portfolio of securities and other 
assets and investment positions (``Portfolio Instruments''). Each Fund 
will disclose on its Web site the identities and quantities of the 
Portfolio Instruments that will form the basis for the Fund's 
calculation of NAV at the end of the day.
    3. Shares will be purchased and redeemed in Creation Units and 
generally on an in-kind basis. Except where the purchase or redemption 
will include cash under the limited circumstances specified in the 
application, purchasers will be required to purchase Creation Units by 
depositing specified instruments (``Deposit Instruments''), and 
shareholders redeeming their shares will receive specified instruments 
(``Redemption Instruments''). The Deposit Instruments and the 
Redemption Instruments will each correspond pro rata to the positions 
in the Fund's portfolio (including cash positions) except as specified 
in the application.
    4. Because shares will not be individually redeemable, applicants 
request an exemption from section 5(a)(1) and section 2(a)(32) of the 
Act that would permit the Funds to register as open-end management 
investment companies and issue shares that are redeemable in Creation 
Units only.
    5. Applicants also request an exemption from section 22(d) of the 
Act and rule 22c-1 under the Act as secondary market trading in shares 
will take place at negotiated prices, not at a current offering price 
described in a Fund's prospectus, and not at a price based on NAV. 
Applicants state that (a) secondary market trading in shares does not 
involve a Fund as a party and will not result in dilution of an 
investment in shares, and (b) to the extent different prices exist 
during a given trading day, or from day to day, such variances occur as 
a result of third-party market forces, such as supply and demand. 
Therefore, applicants assert that secondary market transactions in 
shares will not lead to discrimination or preferential treatment among 
purchasers. Finally, applicants represent that share market prices will 
be disciplined by arbitrage opportunities, which should prevent shares 
from trading at a material discount or premium from NAV.
    6. With respect to Funds that hold non-U.S. Portfolio Instruments 
and that effect creations and redemptions of Creation Units in kind, 
applicants request relief from the requirement imposed by section 22(e) 
in order to allow such Funds to pay redemption proceeds within fifteen 
calendar days following the tender of Creation Units for redemption. 
Applicants assert that the requested relief would not be inconsistent 
with the spirit and intent of section 22(e) to prevent unreasonable, 
undisclosed or unforeseen delays in the actual payment of redemption 
proceeds.
    7. Applicants request an exemption to permit Funds of Funds to 
acquire Fund shares beyond the limits of section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 
Act; and the Funds, and any principal underwriter for the Funds, and/or 
any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act, to sell shares 
to Funds of Funds beyond the limits of section 12(d)(1)(B) of the Act. 
The application's terms and conditions are designed to, among other 
things, help prevent any potential (i) undue influence over a Fund 
through control or voting power, or in connection with certain 
services, transactions, and underwritings, (ii) excessive layering of 
fees, and (iii) overly complex fund structures, which are the concerns 
underlying the limits in sections 12(d)(1)(A) and (B) of the Act.
    8. Applicants request an exemption from sections 17(a)(1) and 
17(a)(2) of the Act to permit persons that are Affiliated Persons, or 
Second Tier Affiliates, of the Funds, solely by virtue of certain 
ownership interests, to effectuate purchases and redemptions in-kind. 
The deposit procedures for in-kind purchases of Creation Units and the 
redemption procedures for in-kind redemptions of Creation Units will be 
the same for all purchases and redemptions and Deposit Instruments and 
Redemption Instruments will be valued in the same manner as those 
Portfolio Instruments currently held by the Funds. Applicants also seek 
relief from the prohibitions on affiliated transactions in section 
17(a) to permit a Fund to sell its shares to and redeem its shares from 
a Fund of Funds, and to engage in the accompanying in-kind transactions 
with the Fund of Funds.\2\ The purchase of Creation Units by a Fund of 
Funds directly from a Fund will be accomplished in accordance with the 
policies of the Fund of Funds and will be based on the NAVs of the 
Funds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The requested relief would apply to direct sales of shares 
in Creation Units by a Fund to a Fund of Funds and redemptions of 
those shares. Applicants, moreover, are not seeking relief from 
section 17(a) for, and the requested relief will not apply to, 
transactions where a Fund could be deemed an Affiliated Person, or a 
Second-Tier Affiliate, of a Fund of Funds because an Adviser or an 
entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with an 
Adviser provides investment advisory services to that Fund of Funds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    9. Applicants also request relief to permit a Feeder Fund to 
acquire shares of another registered investment company managed by the 
Adviser having substantially the same investment objectives as the 
Feeder Fund (``Master Fund'') beyond the limitations in section 
12(d)(1)(A) and permit the Master Fund, and any principal underwriter 
for the Master Fund, to sell shares of the Master Fund to the Feeder 
Fund beyond the limitations in section 12(d)(1)(B).
    10. Section 6(c) of the Act permits the Commission to exempt any 
persons or transactions from any provision of the Act if such exemption 
is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with 
the protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the 
policy and provisions of the Act. Section 12(d)(1)(J) of the Act 
provides that the Commission may exempt any person, security, or 
transaction, or any class or classes of persons, securities, or 
transactions, from any provision of section 12(d)(1) if the exemption 
is consistent with the public interest and the protection of investors. 
Section 17(b) of the Act authorizes the Commission to grant an order

[[Page 63543]]

permitting a transaction otherwise prohibited by section 17(a) if it 
finds that (a) the terms of the proposed transaction are fair and 
reasonable and do not involve overreaching on the part of any person 
concerned; (b) the proposed transaction is consistent with the policies 
of each registered investment company involved; and (c) the proposed 
transaction is consistent with the general purposes of the Act.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, 
under delegated authority.
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-22126 Filed 9-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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