Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Change To Modify the NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule, 72133-72135 [2016-25238]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 202 / Wednesday, October 19, 2016 / Notices
other exchanges 21 The Exchange
believes that the proposed definitions of
OCV is reasonable, fair and equitable,
and non-discriminatory, and will
provide additional transparency to
Members regarding the calculations
used to determine volume levels for
purposes of the proposed tiered pricing
model.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe its
proposed amendment to its fee schedule
would 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 changes
represents a significant departure from
previous pricing offered by the
Exchange or pricing offered by the
Exchange’s competitors. The Exchange
believes that its proposal to amend the
qualification criteria and to incorporate
OCV as proposed would not impose any
burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act because the
Exchange also proposed to modify the
tier’s related criteria in order to
maintain substantially identical
requirements to qualify for each tier.
Additionally, Members may opt to
disfavor the Exchange’s pricing if they
believe that alternatives offer them
better value. Accordingly, the Exchange
does not believe that the proposed
changes will impair the ability of
Members or competing venues to
maintain their competitive standing in
the financial markets. The Exchange
21 See the NYSE MKT LLC (‘‘NYSE MKT’’) fee
schedule available at https://www.nyse.com/
publicdocs/nyse/markets/amex-options/
NYSE_Amex_Options_Fee_
Schedule.pdf (setting forth tiers that provide
preferred pricing to options market makers who
meet certain criteria, including achieving a specific
‘‘Monthly Volume as a % of Industry Customer
Equity and Exchange Traded Fund (‘‘ETF’’) Option
Volume’’); NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘NYSE ARCA’’)
options fee schedule available at https://
www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/arcaoptions/NYSE_Arca_Options_Fee_Schedule.pdf
(setting forth a Market Maker Incentive tier that
provides preferred pricing to market makers who
meet certain criteria, including achieving a specific
percentage of ‘‘Total Industry Customer equity and
ETF option ADV’’); Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(‘‘Nasdaq’’) options fee schedule available at https://
www.nasdaqtrader.com/Micro.aspx?id=options
Pricing (setting forth tiers that provide preferred
pricing to market makers who meet certain criteria,
including achieving a specific percentage of ‘‘total
industry customer equity and ETF option ADV
contracts per month’’); and Nasdaq BX LLC (‘‘BX’’)
options fee schedule available at https://
www.nasdaqtrader.com/Micro.aspx?id=BXOptions
Pricing (setting forth tiers that provide preferred
pricing to market makers who meet certain criteria,
including achieving a specific percentage of ‘‘total
industry customer equity and ETF option ADV
contracts per month’’).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:39 Oct 18, 2016
Jkt 241001
believes that its proposal would not
burden intramarket competition because
the proposed rates would continue to
apply uniformly to all Members. As
stated above, the Exchange notes that it
operates in a highly competitive market
in which market participants can
readily direct order flow to competing
venues if they deem fee structures to be
unreasonable or excessive. The
Exchange does not believe the proposed
tiers and standard rates would burden
intramarket competition as they would
apply to all Members uniformly.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange has not solicited, and
does not intend to solicit, comments on
this proposed rule change. The
Exchange has not received any written
comments from members or other
interested parties.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)
of the Act 22 and paragraph (f) of Rule
19b–4 thereunder.23 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 rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File
Number SR–BatsEDGX–2016–57 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–BatsEDGX–2016–57. 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 Number SR–
BatsEDGX–2016–57, and should be
submitted on or before November 9,
2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.24
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–25236 Filed 10–18–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–79089; File No. SR–
NYSEMKT–2016–91]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Change To Modify the NYSE Amex
Options Fee Schedule
October 13, 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 October
3, 2016, NYSE MKT LLC (the
24 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
22 15
23 17
PO 00000
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f).
Frm 00099
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
72133
E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM
19OCN1
72134
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 202 / Wednesday, October 19, 2016 / Notices
‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE MKT’’) filed with
the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the
proposed rule change as described in
Items I, II, and III below, which Items
have been prepared by the selfregulatory organization. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to modify the
NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule. The
proposed change is available on the
Exchange’s Web site at www.nyse.com,
at the principal office of the Exchange,
and at the Commission’s Public
Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
self-regulatory organization included
statements concerning the purpose of,
and basis for, the proposed rule change
and discussed any comments it received
on the proposed rule change. The text
of those statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below.
The Exchange has prepared summaries,
set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
of the most significant parts of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of this filing is to amend
Section I.F. of the Fee Schedule to treat
Professional Customer Qualified
Contingent Cross (‘‘QCC’’) transactions
the same as Customer QCC
transactions.4 The Exchange proposes to
implement these changes effective on
October 3, 2016.
Section I.F. of the Fee Schedule
describes QCC Fees and Credits.
Currently, the Exchange imposes the
following fees for QCC transactions in
Standard Options:
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Participant
Customer ..................................
Standard
options per
contract
fee or credit
$0.00
4 See Fee Schedule, Section I.F. (Qualified
Contingent Cross (‘‘QCC’’) Fees & Credits for
Standard Options & Mini Options), available here,
https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/
amex-options/NYSE_Amex_Options_Fee_
Schedule.pdf.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:39 Oct 18, 2016
Jkt 241001
Standard
options per
contract
fee or credit
Participant
Non-Customer excluding Specialists and e-Specialists .......
Specialists and e-Specialists ....
0.20
0.13
Currently, Professional Customer QCC
trades are charged as ‘‘Non-Customer
excluding Specialists and eSpecialists.’’ 5 The Exchange also offers
a Floor Broker rebate which varies based
on the volume of executed QCC orders,
provided there are not Customers on
both sides of the transaction (‘‘Floor
Broker Rebate’’).6
The Exchange proposes to treat
Professional Customers the same as
Customers for purposes of fees for QCC
transactions. In other words,
Professional Customers would be
charged $0.00 for QCC trades. Thus, the
Exchange proposes to modify Section
I.F. to add reference to Professional
Customers (along with the existing
reference to Customers) to reflect this
proposed change.
Currently, the Floor Broker Rebate is
not available for QCC trades where
neither side of the QCC is billable (i.e.,
Customer-to-Customer QCC
transactions). Thus, by extension, the
Exchange proposes that the Floor Broker
Rebate would likewise be unavailable
for QCC trades where there is a
Professional Customer or Customer, or
both, on both sides of the QCC
transaction, as such transactions are all
non-billable. For example, a Floor
Broker executing as a QCC trade an
order from a Customer buying 1,000
ABC Dec 40 Calls and an order from a
Professional Customer selling 1,000
ABC Dec 40 Calls at $2.00 would not be
eligible for the Floor Broker credits.
This example would also apply to QCC
trades with a Professional Customer (or
Customer) on both sides of the QCC
transaction.
The proposal is designed to attract
more QCC volume to the Exchange,
because there would be no fee for
Professional Customer orders, and to
enhance the Exchange’s competitiveness
with other options exchanges that
5 See id., note 1 (providing a per contract rebate
of either $0.07 or $0.10 to Floor Brokers executing
qualifying QCC volume, depending on whether the
Floor Broker executes 300,000 or fewer contracts
($0.07 per contract) or more than 300,000 contracts
($0.10 per contract)).
6 See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No.
68139 (November 2, 2012), 77 FR 66902, 66902, n.
5 (November 7, 2012) (SR–NYSEMKT–2012–56)
(noting that Professional Customers are treated as
Non-Customers in filing to modify QCC fees for
Specialists and e-Specialists).
PO 00000
Frm 00100
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
likewise do not charge QCC fees on
Professional Customer orders.7
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b) of the Act,8 in general, and
furthers the objectives of Sections
6(b)(4) and (5) of the Act,9 in particular,
because it provides for the equitable
allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and
other charges among its members,
issuers and other persons using its
facilities and does not unfairly
discriminate between customers,
issuers, brokers or dealers.
The Exchange believes the proposal is
reasonable, equitable and not unfairly
discriminatory as it is consistent with
other options markets that treat
Professional Customers similar to
Customers for purposes of QCC
transaction fees.10
The Exchange also believes that the
proposed changes are reasonable,
equitable and not unfairly
discriminatory because permitting
Professional Customer orders to be
treated similar to Customer orders (i.e.,
not be subject to a fee) should attract
more QCC transactions to the Exchange,
which would continue to make the
Exchange a more competitive venue for,
among other things, order execution.
For these reasons, the Exchange
believes that the proposal is consistent
with the Act.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
In accordance with Section 6(b)(8) of
the Act,11 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.
Instead, the Exchange believes that the
proposed change would continue to
encourage competition, including by
attracting additional QCC Transactions
to the Exchange, which would continue
to make the Exchange a more
competitive venue for, among other
things, order execution. The Exchange’s
proposal does not place on undue
burden on inter-market competition
because other exchanges likewise do not
7 See, e.g., NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule,
available here, https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/
nyse/markets/arca-options/NYSE_Arca_Options_
Fee_Schedule.pdf; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC
(‘‘PHLX’’) pricing schedule (Section II), available
here, https://www.nasdaqtrader.com/
Micro.aspx?id=PHLXPricing.
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
10 See supra note 7.
11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM
19OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 202 / Wednesday, October 19, 2016 / Notices
charge Professional Customers for QCC
transactions.12
The Exchange notes that it operates in
a highly competitive market in which
market participants can readily favor
competing venues. In such an
environment, the Exchange must
continually review, and consider
adjusting, its fees and credits to remain
competitive with other exchanges.
Because competitors are free to modify
their own fees in response, and because
market participants may readily adjust
their order routing practices, the degree
to which fee changes in this market may
impose any burden on competition is
extremely limited. For the reasons
described above, the Exchange believes
that the proposed rule change reflects
this competitive environment.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited
or received with respect to the proposed
rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change is effective
upon filing pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)13 of the Act and
subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–414
thereunder, because it establishes a due,
fee, or other charge imposed by the
Exchange.
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of such proposed rule change, the
Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if
it appears to the Commission that such
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.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
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–2016–91 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–2016–91. 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 Number SR–
NYSEMKT–2016–91, and should be
submitted on or before November 9,
2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.16
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–25238 Filed 10–18–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
12 See
supra note 7.
13 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
14 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
15 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:39 Oct 18, 2016
16 17
Jkt 241001
PO 00000
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
Frm 00101
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
72135
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–79090; File No. SR–
BatsEDGX–2016–55]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats
EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of a
Proposed Rule Change to Fees for Use
of Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc.
October 13, 2016.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on
September 30, 2016, Bats EDGX
Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or
‘‘EDGX’’) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’)
the proposed rule change as described
in Items I, II and III below, which Items
have been prepared by the Exchange.
The Exchange has designated the
proposed rule change as one
establishing or changing a member due,
fee, or other charge imposed by the
Exchange under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii)
of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2)
thereunder,4 which renders the
proposed rule change effective upon
filing with the Commission. 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 filed a proposal to
amend the fee schedule applicable to
Members 5 and non-members of the
Exchange pursuant to EDGX Rules
15.1(a) and (c).
The text of the proposed rule change
is available at the Exchange’s Web site
at www.batstrading.com, at the
principal office of the Exchange, and at
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for
the proposed rule change and discussed
any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of these
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
5 The term ‘‘Member’’ is defined as ‘‘any
registered broker or dealer that has been admitted
to membership in the Exchange.’’ See Exchange
Rule 1.5(n).
2 17
E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM
19OCN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 19, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72133-72135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25238]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-79089; File No. SR-NYSEMKT-2016-91]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Change To Modify the NYSE Amex
Options Fee Schedule
October 13, 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 October 3, 2016, NYSE MKT LLC (the
[[Page 72134]]
``Exchange'' or ``NYSE MKT'') filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described
in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the
self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice
to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested
persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
\3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to modify the NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule.
The proposed change is available on the Exchange's Web site at
www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the
Commission's Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization
included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the
proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared
summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most
significant parts of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The purpose of this filing is to amend Section I.F. of the Fee
Schedule to treat Professional Customer Qualified Contingent Cross
(``QCC'') transactions the same as Customer QCC transactions.\4\ The
Exchange proposes to implement these changes effective on October 3,
2016.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ See Fee Schedule, Section I.F. (Qualified Contingent Cross
(``QCC'') Fees & Credits for Standard Options & Mini Options),
available here, https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/amex-options/NYSE_Amex_Options_Fee_Schedule.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section I.F. of the Fee Schedule describes QCC Fees and Credits.
Currently, the Exchange imposes the following fees for QCC transactions
in Standard Options:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard
options per
Participant contract
fee or
credit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Customer................................................... $0.00
Non-Customer excluding Specialists and e-Specialists....... 0.20
Specialists and e-Specialists.............................. 0.13
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently, Professional Customer QCC trades are charged as ``Non-
Customer excluding Specialists and e-Specialists.'' \5\ The Exchange
also offers a Floor Broker rebate which varies based on the volume of
executed QCC orders, provided there are not Customers on both sides of
the transaction (``Floor Broker Rebate'').\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See id., note 1 (providing a per contract rebate of either
$0.07 or $0.10 to Floor Brokers executing qualifying QCC volume,
depending on whether the Floor Broker executes 300,000 or fewer
contracts ($0.07 per contract) or more than 300,000 contracts ($0.10
per contract)).
\6\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68139
(November 2, 2012), 77 FR 66902, 66902, n. 5 (November 7, 2012) (SR-
NYSEMKT-2012-56) (noting that Professional Customers are treated as
Non-Customers in filing to modify QCC fees for Specialists and e-
Specialists).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange proposes to treat Professional Customers the same as
Customers for purposes of fees for QCC transactions. In other words,
Professional Customers would be charged $0.00 for QCC trades. Thus, the
Exchange proposes to modify Section I.F. to add reference to
Professional Customers (along with the existing reference to Customers)
to reflect this proposed change.
Currently, the Floor Broker Rebate is not available for QCC trades
where neither side of the QCC is billable (i.e., Customer-to-Customer
QCC transactions). Thus, by extension, the Exchange proposes that the
Floor Broker Rebate would likewise be unavailable for QCC trades where
there is a Professional Customer or Customer, or both, on both sides of
the QCC transaction, as such transactions are all non-billable. For
example, a Floor Broker executing as a QCC trade an order from a
Customer buying 1,000 ABC Dec 40 Calls and an order from a Professional
Customer selling 1,000 ABC Dec 40 Calls at $2.00 would not be eligible
for the Floor Broker credits. This example would also apply to QCC
trades with a Professional Customer (or Customer) on both sides of the
QCC transaction.
The proposal is designed to attract more QCC volume to the
Exchange, because there would be no fee for Professional Customer
orders, and to enhance the Exchange's competitiveness with other
options exchanges that likewise do not charge QCC fees on Professional
Customer orders.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ See, e.g., NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule, available here,
https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/arca-options/NYSE_Arca_Options_Fee_Schedule.pdf; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (``PHLX'')
pricing schedule (Section II), available here, https://www.nasdaqtrader.com/Micro.aspx?id=PHLXPricing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b) of the Act,\8\ in general, and furthers the
objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and (5) of the Act,\9\ in particular,
because it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues,
fees, and other charges among its members, issuers and other persons
using its facilities and does not unfairly discriminate between
customers, issuers, brokers or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange believes the proposal is reasonable, equitable and not
unfairly discriminatory as it is consistent with other options markets
that treat Professional Customers similar to Customers for purposes of
QCC transaction fees.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ See supra note 7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange also believes that the proposed changes are
reasonable, equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because
permitting Professional Customer orders to be treated similar to
Customer orders (i.e., not be subject to a fee) should attract more QCC
transactions to the Exchange, which would continue to make the Exchange
a more competitive venue for, among other things, order execution.
For these reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposal is
consistent with the Act.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
In accordance with Section 6(b)(8) of the Act,\11\ 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. Instead, the Exchange believes that the
proposed change would continue to encourage competition, including by
attracting additional QCC Transactions to the Exchange, which would
continue to make the Exchange a more competitive venue for, among other
things, order execution. The Exchange's proposal does not place on
undue burden on inter-market competition because other exchanges
likewise do not
[[Page 72135]]
charge Professional Customers for QCC transactions.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
\12\ See supra note 7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market
in which market participants can readily favor competing venues. In
such an environment, the Exchange must continually review, and consider
adjusting, its fees and credits to remain competitive with other
exchanges. Because competitors are free to modify their own fees in
response, and because market participants may readily adjust their
order routing practices, the degree to which fee changes in this market
may impose any burden on competition is extremely limited. For the
reasons described above, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule
change reflects this competitive environment.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the
proposed rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change is effective upon filing pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A)\13\ of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-
4\14\ thereunder, because it establishes a due, fee, or other charge
imposed by the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-2016-91 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-2016-91. 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 Number SR-NYSEMKT-2016-91, and should
be submitted on or before November 9, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-25238 Filed 10-18-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P