Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Listing and Trading of Shares of PowerShares Government Collateral Pledge Portfolio Under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600, 74840-74842 [2016-25938]
Download as PDF
74840
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2016 / Notices
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–CBOE–2016–071. This file
number should be included on the
subject line if email is used. To help the
Commission process and review your
comments more efficiently, please use
only one method. The Commission will
post all comments on the Commission’s
Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
submission, all subsequent
amendments, all written statements
with respect to the proposed rule
change that are filed with the
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official
business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of the Exchange. All comments
received will be posted without change;
the Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–CBOE–
2016–071, and should be submitted on
or before November 17, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.44
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–25940 Filed 10–26–16; 8:45 am]
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–79131; File No. SR–
NYSEArca-2016–97]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Order Instituting
Proceedings To Determine Whether To
Approve or Disapprove a Proposed
Rule Change Relating to the Listing
and Trading of Shares of PowerShares
Government Collateral Pledge Portfolio
Under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600
October 21, 2016.
I. Introduction
On July 6, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc.
(‘‘Exchange’’) 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
list and trade shares (‘‘Shares’’) of the
PowerShares Government Collateral
Pledge Portfolio (‘‘Fund’’). The
proposed rule change was published for
comment in the Federal Register on July
26, 2016.3 On September 1, 2016,
pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,4
the Commission designated a longer
period within which to approve the
proposed rule change, disapprove the
proposed rule change, or institute
proceedings to determine whether to
disapprove the proposed rule change.5
The Commission has received no
comments on the proposed rule change.
This order institutes proceedings under
Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act 6 to
determine whether to approve or
disapprove the proposed rule change.
II. Exchange’s Description of the
Proposal
The Exchange proposes to list and
trade the Shares of the Fund under
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600, which
governs the listing and trading of
Managed Fund Shares. The Fund is a
series of the PowerShares Actively
Managed Exchange Traded Trust
(‘‘Trust’’).7 Invesco PowerShares Capital
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78373
(July 20, 2016), 81 FR 48869 (‘‘Notice’’).
4 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78750,
81 FR 62233 (September 8, 2016). The Commission
designated October 24, 2016 as the date by which
the Commission shall either approve or disapprove,
or institute proceedings to determine whether to
disapprove, the proposed rule change.
6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
7 The Exchange represents that the Trust is
registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (‘‘1940 Act’’). According to the Exchange, on
May 20, 2016, the Trust filed with the Commission
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
2 17
44 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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17:43 Oct 26, 2016
Jkt 241001
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Management LLC is the investment
adviser for the Fund (‘‘Adviser’’), and
Invesco Advisers, Inc. is the sub-adviser
for the Fund (‘‘Sub-Adviser’’). The Bank
of New York Mellon (‘‘BNYM’’) will be
the administrator, custodian, and
transfer agent for the Fund. Invesco
Distributors, Inc. will be the Fund’s
distributor (‘‘Distributor’’). The
Exchange represents that, while neither
the Adviser nor the Sub-Adviser is
registered as a broker-dealer, the
Adviser and Sub-Adviser are each
affiliated with a broker-dealer. The
Adviser and Sub-Adviser each has
implemented and will maintain a fire
wall with respect to its affiliated brokerdealer regarding access to information
concerning the composition of, and
changes to, the Fund’s portfolio.8 In the
event (a) the Adviser or Sub-Adviser
becomes registered as a broker-dealer or
newly affiliated with a broker-dealer, or
(b) any new adviser or sub-adviser
becomes registered as a broker-dealer or
newly affiliated with a broker-dealer, it
will implement a fire wall with respect
to its relevant personnel or such brokerdealer affiliate regarding access to
information concerning the composition
of, and changes to, the portfolio, and
an amendment to its registration statement on Form
N–1A under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940
Act relating to the Fund (File Nos. 333–147622 and
811–22148) (‘‘Registration Statement’’). In addition,
the Exchange states that the Trust and the Adviser
(as defined herein) have obtained certain exemptive
relief from the Commission under the 1940 Act. See
Investment Company Act Release No. 28171
(February 27, 2008) (File No. 812–13386)
(‘‘Exemptive Order’’). The Exchange represents that
the Fund will be offered in reliance upon the
Exemptive Order issued to the Trust and the
Adviser.
8 The Exchange further represents that an
investment adviser to an open-end fund is required
to be registered under the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940 (‘‘Advisers Act’’). As a result, the Adviser
and Sub-Adviser and their related personnel are
subject to the provisions of Rule 204A–1 under the
Advisers Act relating to codes of ethics. This Rule
requires investment advisers to adopt a code of
ethics that reflects the fiduciary nature of the
relationship to clients as well as compliance with
other applicable securities laws. Accordingly,
procedures designed to prevent the communication
and misuse of non-public information by an
investment adviser must be consistent with Rule
204A–1 under the Advisers Act. The Exchange
represents that the Adviser and its related
personnel are subject to Advisers Act Rule 204A–
1. In addition, Rule 206(4)–7 under the Advisers
Act makes it unlawful for an investment adviser to
provide investment advice to clients unless such
investment adviser has (i) adopted and
implemented written policies and procedures
reasonably designed to prevent violation, by the
investment adviser and its supervised persons, of
the Advisers Act and the Commission rules adopted
thereunder; (ii) implemented, at a minimum, an
annual review regarding the adequacy of the
policies and procedures established pursuant to
subparagraph (i) above and the effectiveness of their
implementation; and (iii) designated an individual
(who is a supervised person) responsible for
administering the policies and procedures adopted
under subparagraph (i) above.
E:\FR\FM\27OCN1.SGM
27OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2016 / Notices
will be subject to procedures designed
to prevent the use and dissemination of
material non-public information
regarding such portfolio.
The Exchange has made the following
representations and statements in
describing the Fund and its investment
strategies, including the Fund’s
portfolio holdings and investment
restrictions.9
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
A. Exchange’s Description of the Fund’s
Principal Investments
According to the Exchange, the
Fund’s investment objective will be to
seek to provide as high a level of current
income as is consistent with liquidity
and minimum volatility of principal.
The Fund will seek to achieve its
investment objective by investing, under
normal market conditions,10 at least
80% of its net assets in a portfolio of
registered U.S. government money
market mutual funds (‘‘Underlying
Funds’’)11 and in U.S. dollar9 The Commission notes that additional
information regarding the Trust, the Fund, and the
Shares, including investment strategies, risks, net
asset value (‘‘NAV’’) calculation, creation and
redemption procedures, fees, Fund holdings
disclosure policies, distributions, and taxes, among
other information, is included in the Notice and the
Registration Statement, as applicable. See Notice
and Registration Statement, supra notes 3 and 7,
respectively.
10 The term ‘‘under normal market conditions’’
includes, but is not limited to, the absence of
extreme volatility or trading halts in the fixed
income securities markets or the financial markets
generally; circumstances under which the Fund’s
investments are made for temporary defensive
purposes; operational issues (e.g., systems failure)
causing dissemination of inaccurate market
information; or force majeure type events such as
natural or man-made disaster, act of God, armed
conflict, act of terrorism, riot or labor disruption or
any similar intervening circumstance.
11 According to the Exchange, each Underlying
Fund is a ‘‘government money market fund,’’ as that
term is defined under Rule 2a–7 of the 1940 Act
(‘‘Rule 2a–7’’), and seeks to maintain a stable $1.00
NAV. Each Underlying Fund has an investment
objective of seeking to provide current income
consistent with preservation of capital and
liquidity. The securities held by the Underlying
Funds will comply with all requirements of Rule
2a–7 and other Commission rules applicable to
money market funds seeking a stable NAV. Each
Underlying Fund invests at least 99.5% of its total
assets in cash, government securities, and/or
repurchase agreements collateralized by cash or
government securities. In addition, each Underlying
Fund invests only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities maturing within 397 days of the date of
purchase, with certain exceptions permitted by
applicable regulations, and maintains a dollarweighted average portfolio maturity of no more than
60 days, and a dollar-weighted average portfolio
maturity (as determined without exceptions
regarding certain interest rate adjustments under
Rule 2a–7) of no more than 120 days. The Exchange
represents that, unlike the Underlying Funds, the
Fund will not be a money market fund, meaning
that the Fund will not seek to maintain a stable
NAV of $1.00, nor will it be subject to other
requirements of Rule 2a–7. However, the Fund will
only purchase securities issued by registered
government money market funds, or securities that
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:43 Oct 26, 2016
Jkt 241001
denominated government securities and
other money market securities eligible
for investment by U.S. government
money market funds (including indirect
investments in those securities through
the Underlying Funds).
Under normal market conditions, the
Fund intends to invest a substantial
portion of its assets in the following
Underlying Funds: (a) Treasury
Portfolio; (b) Government TaxAdvantage
Portfolio; (c) Government & Agency
Portfolio; and (d) Premier US
Government Money Portfolio, each of
which is advised by an affiliate of the
Adviser. The Sub-Adviser may add,
eliminate, or replace any or all
Underlying Funds at any time. Any
additions to or replacements of the
Underlying Funds in the Fund’s
portfolio also will be registered U.S.
government money market funds with
investment characteristics that are
substantially similar to those of the
Underlying Funds. The Adviser, the
Sub-Adviser, or their affiliates may
advise some or all the Underlying
Funds. In constructing the Fund’s
portfolio, the Sub-Adviser generally will
allocate and re-allocate the Fund’s
assets among the Underlying Funds on
a monthly basis on an approximate pro
rata basis that is based on the amount
of net assets of each Underlying Fund.
However, the Sub-Adviser is not
required to invest the Fund’s assets in
any particular Underlying Fund or
allocate any particular percentage of the
Fund’s assets to any particular
Underlying Fund.
B. Exchange’s Description of the Fund’s
Other Investments
While the Fund, under normal
circumstances, will invest at least 80%
of its net assets in the securities and
financial instruments described above,
the Fund may invest its remaining
assets in other assets and financial
instruments, as described below.
The Fund (and the Underlying Funds)
may invest in certain U.S. government
obligations other than those referenced
above, namely Treasury receipts where
the principal and interest components
are traded separately under the Separate
Trading of Registered Interest and
Principal of Securities (STRIPS)
program. The Fund also may invest
directly in repurchase agreements and
reverse repurchase agreements.
comply with the quality and eligibility
requirements of Rule 2a–7. The Fund and the
Underlying Funds may invest in variable and
floating rate instruments that are permitted under
the requirements of Rule 2a–7, and may transact in
securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or
forward commitment basis.
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
74841
C. Exchange’s Description of the Fund’s
Investment Restrictions
According to the Exchange, the Fund
will be classified as ‘‘non-diversified.’’
The Fund intends to maintain the
required level of diversification and
otherwise conduct its operations so as to
qualify as a regulated investment
company for purposes of the U.S.
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
The Fund may invest up to an
aggregate amount of 15% of its net
assets in illiquid assets (calculated at
the time of investment). The Fund will
monitor its portfolio liquidity on an
ongoing basis to determine whether, in
light of current circumstances, an
adequate level of liquidity is being
maintained, and will consider taking
appropriate steps in order to maintain
adequate liquidity if, through a change
in values, net assets, or other
circumstances, more than 15% of the
Fund’s net assets are held in illiquid
assets. Illiquid assets include securities
subject to contractual or other
restrictions on resale and other
instruments that lack readily available
markets as determined in accordance
with Commission staff guidance.
The Fund will not invest in futures,
options, swaps, or forward contracts.
The Fund’s investments will be
consistent with the Fund’s investment
objective and will not be used to
enhance leverage. That is, while the
Fund will be permitted to borrow as
permitted under the 1940 Act, the
Fund’s investments will not be used to
seek performance that is the multiple or
inverse multiple (e.g., 2Xs and 3Xs) of
the Fund’s primary broad-based
securities benchmark index (as defined
in Form N–1A).
III. Proceedings to Determine Whether
to Approve or Disapprove SR–
NYSEArca-2016–97 and Grounds for
Disapproval Under Consideration
The Commission is instituting
proceedings pursuant to Section
19(b)(2)(B) of the Act 12 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. Institution of
proceedings does not indicate that the
Commission has reached any
conclusions with respect to any of the
issues involved. Rather, as described
below, the Commission seeks and
encourages interested persons to
12 15
E:\FR\FM\27OCN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
27OCN1
74842
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2016 / Notices
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
provide comments on the proposed rule
change.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the
Act,13 the Commission is providing
notice of the grounds for disapproval
under consideration. The Commission is
instituting proceedings to allow for
additional analysis of the proposed rule
change’s consistency with Section
6(b)(5) of the Act, which requires,
among other things, that the rules of a
national securities exchange be
‘‘designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade,’’ and ‘‘to protect investors and the
public interest.’’ 14
Under the proposal, BNYM will
calculate the Fund’s NAV at 12:00 p.m.,
Eastern time, every day the New York
Stock Exchange is open. In addition, to
initiate an order for a creation unit, the
Distributor or its agent must receive an
irrevocable order from an authorized
participant, in proper form, no later
than 12:00 p.m., Eastern time, in each
case on the date such order is placed in
order to receive that day’s NAV.
Likewise, with respect to redemptions,
an authorized participant must submit
an irrevocable request to redeem shares
of the Fund generally before 12:00 p.m.,
Eastern time on any business day in
order to receive that day’s NAV. The
Commission notes the proposal does not
provide any explanation for the early
NAV calculation time and creation and
redemption cut-off time. The proposal
also does not explain whether the early
NAV calculation time and creation and
redemption cut-off time would have any
impact on the trading of the Shares,
including any impact on arbitrage.
Accordingly, the Commission seeks
commenters’ views on the 12:00 p.m.
NAV calculation time and creation and
redemption cut-off time, and on
whether the Exchange’s statements
relating to the NAV calculation and the
creation and redemption process
support a determination that the listing
and trading of the Shares would be
consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the
Act, which, among other things,
requires that the rules of an exchange be
designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, and 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
13 Id.
14 15
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:43 Oct 26, 2016
Jkt 241001
arguments with respect to the issues
identified above, as well as any other
concerns they may have with the
proposal. In particular, the Commission
invites the written views of interested
persons concerning whether the
proposal is consistent with Section
6(b)(5) or any other provision of the Act,
or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Although there do not appear to be any
issues relevant to approval or
disapproval that would be facilitated by
an oral presentation of views, data, and
arguments, the Commission will
consider, pursuant to Rule 19b-4, any
request for an opportunity to make an
oral presentation.15
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments regarding whether the
proposal should be approved or
disapproved by November 17, 2016.
Any person who wishes to file a rebuttal
to any other person’s submission must
file that rebuttal by December 1, 2016.
The Commission asks that commenters
address the sufficiency of the
Exchange’s statements in support of the
proposal, which are set forth in the
Notice,16 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:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s Internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
NYSEArca–2016–97 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NYSEArca–2016–97. 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
15 Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, as amended by the
Securities Acts Amendments of 1975, Public Law
94–29 (June 4, 1975), grants 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 Acts Amendments of
1975, Senate Comm. on Banking, Housing & Urban
Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st Sess. 30
(1975).
16 See supra note 3.
PO 00000
Frm 00081
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
submission, all subsequent
amendments, all written statements
with respect to the proposed rule
change that are filed with the
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official
business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of the Exchange. All comments
received will be posted without change;
the Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File Number SR–
NYSEArca–2016–97 and should be
submitted on or before November 17,
2016. Rebuttal comments should be
submitted by December 1, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.17
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–25938 Filed 10–26–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–79135; File No. SR–
NYSEMKT–2016–45]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
MKT LLC; Order Disapproving a
Proposed Rule Change To Modify the
NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule
With Respect to Fees, Rebates, and
Credits for Transactions in the
Customer Best Execution Auction
October 21, 2016.
I. Introduction
On April 11, 2016, NYSE MKT LLC
(the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE MKT’’) filed
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’),
pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a
proposed rule change (File No. SR–
NYSEMKT–2016–45) to modify the
17 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(57).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
E:\FR\FM\27OCN1.SGM
27OCN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 208 (Thursday, October 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74840-74842]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25938]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-79131; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2016-97]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Instituting
Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed
Rule Change Relating to the Listing and Trading of Shares of
PowerShares Government Collateral Pledge Portfolio Under NYSE Arca
Equities Rule 8.600
October 21, 2016.
I. Introduction
On July 6, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``Exchange'') 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 list and trade
shares (``Shares'') of the PowerShares Government Collateral Pledge
Portfolio (``Fund''). The proposed rule change was published for
comment in the Federal Register on July 26, 2016.\3\ On September 1,
2016, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,\4\ the Commission
designated a longer period within which to approve the proposed rule
change, disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings
to determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule change.\5\ The
Commission has received no comments on the proposed rule change. This
order institutes proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \6\
to determine whether to approve or disapprove the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78373 (July 20,
2016), 81 FR 48869 (``Notice'').
\4\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78750, 81 FR 62233
(September 8, 2016). The Commission designated October 24, 2016 as
the date by which the Commission shall either approve or disapprove,
or institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove, the
proposed rule change.
\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Exchange's Description of the Proposal
The Exchange proposes to list and trade the Shares of the Fund
under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600, which governs the listing and
trading of Managed Fund Shares. The Fund is a series of the PowerShares
Actively Managed Exchange Traded Trust (``Trust'').\7\ Invesco
PowerShares Capital Management LLC is the investment adviser for the
Fund (``Adviser''), and Invesco Advisers, Inc. is the sub-adviser for
the Fund (``Sub-Adviser''). The Bank of New York Mellon (``BNYM'') will
be the administrator, custodian, and transfer agent for the Fund.
Invesco Distributors, Inc. will be the Fund's distributor
(``Distributor''). The Exchange represents that, while neither the
Adviser nor the Sub-Adviser is registered as a broker-dealer, the
Adviser and Sub-Adviser are each affiliated with a broker-dealer. The
Adviser and Sub-Adviser each has implemented and will maintain a fire
wall with respect to its affiliated broker-dealer regarding access to
information concerning the composition of, and changes to, the Fund's
portfolio.\8\ In the event (a) the Adviser or Sub-Adviser becomes
registered as a broker-dealer or newly affiliated with a broker-dealer,
or (b) any new adviser or sub-adviser becomes registered as a broker-
dealer or newly affiliated with a broker-dealer, it will implement a
fire wall with respect to its relevant personnel or such broker-dealer
affiliate regarding access to information concerning the composition
of, and changes to, the portfolio, and
[[Page 74841]]
will be subject to procedures designed to prevent the use and
dissemination of material non-public information regarding such
portfolio.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ The Exchange represents that the Trust is registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (``1940 Act''). According to the
Exchange, on May 20, 2016, the Trust filed with the Commission an
amendment to its registration statement on Form N-1A under the
Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act relating to the Fund (File
Nos. 333-147622 and 811-22148) (``Registration Statement''). In
addition, the Exchange states that the Trust and the Adviser (as
defined herein) have obtained certain exemptive relief from the
Commission under the 1940 Act. See Investment Company Act Release
No. 28171 (February 27, 2008) (File No. 812-13386) (``Exemptive
Order''). The Exchange represents that the Fund will be offered in
reliance upon the Exemptive Order issued to the Trust and the
Adviser.
\8\ The Exchange further represents that an investment adviser
to an open-end fund is required to be registered under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (``Advisers Act''). As a result, the
Adviser and Sub-Adviser and their related personnel are subject to
the provisions of Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act relating to
codes of ethics. This Rule requires investment advisers to adopt a
code of ethics that reflects the fiduciary nature of the
relationship to clients as well as compliance with other applicable
securities laws. Accordingly, procedures designed to prevent the
communication and misuse of non-public information by an investment
adviser must be consistent with Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act.
The Exchange represents that the Adviser and its related personnel
are subject to Advisers Act Rule 204A-1. In addition, Rule 206(4)-7
under the Advisers Act makes it unlawful for an investment adviser
to provide investment advice to clients unless such investment
adviser has (i) adopted and implemented written policies and
procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation, by the
investment adviser and its supervised persons, of the Advisers Act
and the Commission rules adopted thereunder; (ii) implemented, at a
minimum, an annual review regarding the adequacy of the policies and
procedures established pursuant to subparagraph (i) above and the
effectiveness of their implementation; and (iii) designated an
individual (who is a supervised person) responsible for
administering the policies and procedures adopted under subparagraph
(i) above.
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The Exchange has made the following representations and statements
in describing the Fund and its investment strategies, including the
Fund's portfolio holdings and investment restrictions.\9\
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\9\ The Commission notes that additional information regarding
the Trust, the Fund, and the Shares, including investment
strategies, risks, net asset value (``NAV'') calculation, creation
and redemption procedures, fees, Fund holdings disclosure policies,
distributions, and taxes, among other information, is included in
the Notice and the Registration Statement, as applicable. See Notice
and Registration Statement, supra notes 3 and 7, respectively.
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A. Exchange's Description of the Fund's Principal Investments
According to the Exchange, the Fund's investment objective will be
to seek to provide as high a level of current income as is consistent
with liquidity and minimum volatility of principal. The Fund will seek
to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market
conditions,\10\ at least 80% of its net assets in a portfolio of
registered U.S. government money market mutual funds (``Underlying
Funds'')\11\ and in U.S. dollar-denominated government securities and
other money market securities eligible for investment by U.S.
government money market funds (including indirect investments in those
securities through the Underlying Funds).
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\10\ The term ``under normal market conditions'' includes, but
is not limited to, the absence of extreme volatility or trading
halts in the fixed income securities markets or the financial
markets generally; circumstances under which the Fund's investments
are made for temporary defensive purposes; operational issues (e.g.,
systems failure) causing dissemination of inaccurate market
information; or force majeure type events such as natural or man-
made disaster, act of God, armed conflict, act of terrorism, riot or
labor disruption or any similar intervening circumstance.
\11\ According to the Exchange, each Underlying Fund is a
``government money market fund,'' as that term is defined under Rule
2a-7 of the 1940 Act (``Rule 2a-7''), and seeks to maintain a stable
$1.00 NAV. Each Underlying Fund has an investment objective of
seeking to provide current income consistent with preservation of
capital and liquidity. The securities held by the Underlying Funds
will comply with all requirements of Rule 2a-7 and other Commission
rules applicable to money market funds seeking a stable NAV. Each
Underlying Fund invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash,
government securities, and/or repurchase agreements collateralized
by cash or government securities. In addition, each Underlying Fund
invests only in U.S. dollar-denominated securities maturing within
397 days of the date of purchase, with certain exceptions permitted
by applicable regulations, and maintains a dollar-weighted average
portfolio maturity of no more than 60 days, and a dollar-weighted
average portfolio maturity (as determined without exceptions
regarding certain interest rate adjustments under Rule 2a-7) of no
more than 120 days. The Exchange represents that, unlike the
Underlying Funds, the Fund will not be a money market fund, meaning
that the Fund will not seek to maintain a stable NAV of $1.00, nor
will it be subject to other requirements of Rule 2a-7. However, the
Fund will only purchase securities issued by registered government
money market funds, or securities that comply with the quality and
eligibility requirements of Rule 2a-7. The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may invest in variable and floating rate instruments that are
permitted under the requirements of Rule 2a-7, and may transact in
securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment
basis.
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Under normal market conditions, the Fund intends to invest a
substantial portion of its assets in the following Underlying Funds:
(a) Treasury Portfolio; (b) Government TaxAdvantage Portfolio; (c)
Government & Agency Portfolio; and (d) Premier US Government Money
Portfolio, each of which is advised by an affiliate of the Adviser. The
Sub-Adviser may add, eliminate, or replace any or all Underlying Funds
at any time. Any additions to or replacements of the Underlying Funds
in the Fund's portfolio also will be registered U.S. government money
market funds with investment characteristics that are substantially
similar to those of the Underlying Funds. The Adviser, the Sub-Adviser,
or their affiliates may advise some or all the Underlying Funds. In
constructing the Fund's portfolio, the Sub-Adviser generally will
allocate and re-allocate the Fund's assets among the Underlying Funds
on a monthly basis on an approximate pro rata basis that is based on
the amount of net assets of each Underlying Fund. However, the Sub-
Adviser is not required to invest the Fund's assets in any particular
Underlying Fund or allocate any particular percentage of the Fund's
assets to any particular Underlying Fund.
B. Exchange's Description of the Fund's Other Investments
While the Fund, under normal circumstances, will invest at least
80% of its net assets in the securities and financial instruments
described above, the Fund may invest its remaining assets in other
assets and financial instruments, as described below.
The Fund (and the Underlying Funds) may invest in certain U.S.
government obligations other than those referenced above, namely
Treasury receipts where the principal and interest components are
traded separately under the Separate Trading of Registered Interest and
Principal of Securities (STRIPS) program. The Fund also may invest
directly in repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements.
C. Exchange's Description of the Fund's Investment Restrictions
According to the Exchange, the Fund will be classified as ``non-
diversified.''
The Fund intends to maintain the required level of diversification
and otherwise conduct its operations so as to qualify as a regulated
investment company for purposes of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.
The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net
assets in illiquid assets (calculated at the time of investment). The
Fund will monitor its portfolio liquidity on an ongoing basis to
determine whether, in light of current circumstances, an adequate level
of liquidity is being maintained, and will consider taking appropriate
steps in order to maintain adequate liquidity if, through a change in
values, net assets, or other circumstances, more than 15% of the Fund's
net assets are held in illiquid assets. Illiquid assets include
securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and
other instruments that lack readily available markets as determined in
accordance with Commission staff guidance.
The Fund will not invest in futures, options, swaps, or forward
contracts.
The Fund's investments will be consistent with the Fund's
investment objective and will not be used to enhance leverage. That is,
while the Fund will be permitted to borrow as permitted under the 1940
Act, the Fund's investments will not be used to seek performance that
is the multiple or inverse multiple (e.g., 2Xs and 3Xs) of the Fund's
primary broad-based securities benchmark index (as defined in Form N-
1A).
III. Proceedings to Determine Whether to Approve or Disapprove SR-
NYSEArca-2016-97 and Grounds for Disapproval Under Consideration
The Commission is instituting proceedings pursuant to Section
19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \12\ 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. Institution of proceedings
does not indicate that the Commission has reached any conclusions with
respect to any of the issues involved. Rather, as described below, the
Commission seeks and encourages interested persons to
[[Page 74842]]
provide comments on the proposed rule change.
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\12\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act,\13\ the Commission is
providing notice of the grounds for disapproval under consideration.
The Commission is instituting proceedings to allow for additional
analysis of the proposed rule change's consistency with Section 6(b)(5)
of the Act, which requires, among other things, that the rules of a
national securities exchange be ``designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade,'' and ``to protect investors and the public
interest.'' \14\
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\13\ Id.
\14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Under the proposal, BNYM will calculate the Fund's NAV at 12:00
p.m., Eastern time, every day the New York Stock Exchange is open. In
addition, to initiate an order for a creation unit, the Distributor or
its agent must receive an irrevocable order from an authorized
participant, in proper form, no later than 12:00 p.m., Eastern time, in
each case on the date such order is placed in order to receive that
day's NAV. Likewise, with respect to redemptions, an authorized
participant must submit an irrevocable request to redeem shares of the
Fund generally before 12:00 p.m., Eastern time on any business day in
order to receive that day's NAV. The Commission notes the proposal does
not provide any explanation for the early NAV calculation time and
creation and redemption cut-off time. The proposal also does not
explain whether the early NAV calculation time and creation and
redemption cut-off time would have any impact on the trading of the
Shares, including any impact on arbitrage. Accordingly, the Commission
seeks commenters' views on the 12:00 p.m. NAV calculation time and
creation and redemption cut-off time, and on whether the Exchange's
statements relating to the NAV calculation and the creation and
redemption process support a determination that the listing and trading
of the Shares would be consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,
which, among other things, requires that the rules of an exchange be
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of trade, and 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
issues identified above, as well as any other concerns they may have
with the proposal. In particular, the Commission invites the written
views of interested persons concerning whether the proposal is
consistent with Section 6(b)(5) or any other provision of the Act, or
the rules and regulations thereunder. Although there do not appear to
be any issues relevant to approval or disapproval that would be
facilitated by an oral presentation of views, data, and arguments, the
Commission will consider, pursuant to Rule 19b-4, any request for an
opportunity to make an oral presentation.\15\
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\15\ Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, as amended by the Securities
Acts Amendments of 1975, Public Law 94-29 (June 4, 1975), grants 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 Acts Amendments of 1975, Senate Comm.
on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st
Sess. 30 (1975).
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Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments regarding whether the proposal should be approved or
disapproved by November 17, 2016. Any person who wishes to file a
rebuttal to any other person's submission must file that rebuttal by
December 1, 2016. The Commission asks that commenters address the
sufficiency of the Exchange's statements in support of the proposal,
which are set forth in the Notice,\16\ in addition to any other
comments they may wish to submit about the proposed rule change.
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\16\ See supra note 3.
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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 Number SR-NYSEArca-2016-97 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2016-97. This
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2016-97 and should
be submitted on or before November 17, 2016. Rebuttal comments should
be submitted by December 1, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\
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\17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(57).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-25938 Filed 10-26-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P