Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change To Modify the Response Times in the Block Mechanism, Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited Order Mechanism, and Price Improvement Mechanism, 3055-3056 [2017-00217]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Notices benefit from the improved market liquidity. Enhanced market quality and increased transaction volume that results from the anticipated increase in order flow directed to the Exchange will benefit all market participants and improve competition on the Exchange. Given the robust competition for volume among options markets, many of which offer the same products, implementing programs to attract order flow similar to the ones being proposed in this filing, are consistent with the above-mentioned goals of the Act. 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. 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. pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES 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) 23 of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–4 24 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) 25 of the Act to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2). 25 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). 14:59 Jan 09, 2017 Paper Comments January 4, 2017. • 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–NYSEMKT–2016–127. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR– NYSEMKT–2016–127 and should be submitted on or before January 31, 2017. I. Introduction On November 8, 2016, the International Securities Exchange, LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘ISE’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to amend ISE Rules 716 (Block Trades) and 723 (Price Improvement Mechanism for Crossing Transactions) to modify the response times in the Block Order Mechanism, Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited Order Mechanism, and Price Improvement Mechanism (‘‘PIM’’) from 500 milliseconds to a time period designated by the Exchange of no less than 100 milliseconds and no more than 1 second. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on November 25, 2016.3 No comment letters were received on the proposed rule change. This order approves the proposed rule change. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.26 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–00221 Filed 1–9–17; 8:45 am] 26 17 Jkt 241001 [Release No. 34–79733; File No. SR–ISE– 2016–26] Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change To Modify the Response Times in the Block Mechanism, Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited Order Mechanism, and Price Improvement Mechanism 24 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION • 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–2016–127 on the subject line. BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 23 15 3055 PO 00000 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). Frm 00117 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change ISE Rule 716 (Block Trades) contains the requirements applicable to the execution of orders using the Block Order Mechanism, Facilitation Mechanism, and Solicited Order Mechanism. The Block Order Mechanism allows ISE members to obtain liquidity for the execution of a block-size order.4 The Facilitation and Solicited Order Mechanisms allow ISE members to enter cross transactions seeking price improvement.5 ISE Rule 723 (Price Improvement Mechanism for Crossing Transactions) contains the requirements applicable to the 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79352 (November 18, 2016), 81 FR 85277 (‘‘Notice’’). 4 Block-size orders are orders for 50 contracts or more. See ISE Rule 716(a). 5 Only block-size orders can be entered into the Facilitation Mechanism, whereas only orders for 500 contracts or more can be entered into the Solicited Order Mechanism. See ISE Rule 716(d) and (e). 2 17 E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM 10JAN1 3056 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2017 / Notices execution of orders using the PIM. The PIM allows ISE members to enter cross transactions of any size. The Facilitation, Solicited Order Mechanisms, and PIM allow for ISE members to designate certain customer orders for price improvement and submit such orders into one of the mechanisms with a matching contra order. Once such an order is submitted, ISE commences an auction by broadcasting a message to all ISE members that includes the series, price, size, and side of the market.6 Further, responses within the PIM (i.e., Improvement Orders), are also broadcast to market participants during the auction. Orders entered into the Block Order Mechanism, Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited Order Mechanism, and PIM are currently exposed to all market participants for 500 milliseconds, giving them an opportunity to enter additional trading interest before the orders are automatically executed. Under the proposal, ISE would determine an exposure period for each of the four mechanisms that is no less than 100 milliseconds and no more than 1 second.7 III. Discussion and Commission’s 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.8 In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,9 which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES 6 ISE members may choose to hide the size, side, and price when entering orders into the Block Order Mechanism. 7 While the proposed rule change would allow ISE to increase the exposure period up to 1 second, ISE stated that it currently intends to decrease the time period allowed for responses to 100 milliseconds. See Notice, supra note 3, at 85278. ISE further noted that its proposal is consistent with exposure periods permitted in similar mechanisms on other options exchanges. See id. at 85278. See also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 76301 (October 29, 2015), 80 FR 68347 (November 4, 2015) (SR–BX–2015–032) and 77557 (April 7, 2016), 81 FR 21935 (April 13, 2016) (SR–Phlx–2016–40). 8 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). 9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:59 Jan 09, 2017 Jkt 241001 market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest, and not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. The Commission also finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(8) of the Act,10 which requires that the rules of an exchange not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Commission believes that, given the electronic environment of ISE, reducing each of the exposure periods from 500 milliseconds to no less than 100 milliseconds could facilitate the prompt execution of orders, while continuing to provide market participants with an opportunity to compete for exposed bids and offers. To substantiate that its members could receive, process, and communicate a response back to ISE within 100 milliseconds, ISE stated that it surveyed all ISE members that responded to an auction in the period beginning July 1, 2015 and ending January 15, 2016. Each of the twenty-one members surveyed indicated that they can currently receive, process, and communicate a response back to ISE within 100 milliseconds. To implement the reduced exposure periods and help ensure that ISE’s and its members’ systems are working properly given the faster response times, ISE will reduce the auction time over a period of weeks, ending at 100 milliseconds. Upon effectiveness of the proposal, and at least six weeks prior to implementation of the proposed rule change, ISE will issue a circular to its members, informing them of the implementation date of the reduction of the auction from 500 milliseconds to the auction time designated by ISE (100 milliseconds) to allow members the opportunity to perform systems changes. ISE also represented that it will issue a circular at least four weeks prior to any future changes, as permitted by its rules, to the auction time.11 In addition, ISE reviewed all executions occurring in the mechanisms by ISE members from March 28, 2016 to April 25, 2016. This review of executions in the mechanisms indicated that approximately 98% of responses that resulted in price improving executions at the conclusion of an auction were submitted within 500 milliseconds. Approximately 94% of responses that resulted in price improving executions at the conclusion of an auction were submitted within 100 milliseconds, and 83% were submitted 10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8). Notice, supra note 3, at 85279. 11 See PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 within 50 milliseconds of the initial order.12 Furthermore, with regard to the impact of the proposal on system capacity, ISE has analyzed its capacity and represented that it has the necessary systems capacity to handle the potential additional traffic associated with the additional transactions that may occur with the implementation of the reduction in the auction duration to no less than 100 milliseconds.13 Based on ISE’s statements, the Commission believes that market participants should continue to have opportunities to compete for exposed bids and offers within an exposure period of no less than 100 milliseconds and no more than 1 second.14 Accordingly, the Commission believes that it is consistent with the Act for the Exchange to modify the response times in the Block Mechanism, Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited Order Mechanism, and PIM from 500 milliseconds to a time period designated by the Exchange of no less than 100 milliseconds and no more than 1 second. IV. Conclusion It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,15 that the proposed rule change (SR–ISE–2016–26) be, and hereby is, approved. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.16 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–00217 Filed 1–9–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Investment Company Act Release No. 32413; 812–13828–01 Hartford Funds Exchange-Traded Trust, et al.; Notice of Application] January 4, 2017. 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 AGENCY: 12 See id. id. 14 The Commission notes that the ability to designate such an exposure time period is consistent with the rules of other options exchanges. See supra note 7. See also NASDAQ Phlx Rule 1080(n)(ii)(A)(4) and NASDAQ BX Options Rules Chapter VI, Section 9(ii)(A)(3). 15 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 16 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 13 See E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM 10JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3055-3056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00217]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-79733; File No. SR-ISE-2016-26]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, 
LLC; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change To Modify the Response 
Times in the Block Mechanism, Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited Order 
Mechanism, and Price Improvement Mechanism

January 4, 2017.

I. Introduction

    On November 8, 2016, the International Securities Exchange, LLC 
(the ``Exchange'' or ``ISE'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission'') pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 
thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to amend ISE Rules 716 (Block 
Trades) and 723 (Price Improvement Mechanism for Crossing Transactions) 
to modify the response times in the Block Order Mechanism, Facilitation 
Mechanism, Solicited Order Mechanism, and Price Improvement Mechanism 
(``PIM'') from 500 milliseconds to a time period designated by the 
Exchange of no less than 100 milliseconds and no more than 1 second. 
The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal 
Register on November 25, 2016.\3\ No comment letters were received on 
the proposed rule change. This order approves 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. 79352 (November 18, 
2016), 81 FR 85277 (``Notice'').
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II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change

    ISE Rule 716 (Block Trades) contains the requirements applicable to 
the execution of orders using the Block Order Mechanism, Facilitation 
Mechanism, and Solicited Order Mechanism. The Block Order Mechanism 
allows ISE members to obtain liquidity for the execution of a block-
size order.\4\ The Facilitation and Solicited Order Mechanisms allow 
ISE members to enter cross transactions seeking price improvement.\5\ 
ISE Rule 723 (Price Improvement Mechanism for Crossing Transactions) 
contains the requirements applicable to the

[[Page 3056]]

execution of orders using the PIM. The PIM allows ISE members to enter 
cross transactions of any size. The Facilitation, Solicited Order 
Mechanisms, and PIM allow for ISE members to designate certain customer 
orders for price improvement and submit such orders into one of the 
mechanisms with a matching contra order. Once such an order is 
submitted, ISE commences an auction by broadcasting a message to all 
ISE members that includes the series, price, size, and side of the 
market.\6\ Further, responses within the PIM (i.e., Improvement 
Orders), are also broadcast to market participants during the auction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Block-size orders are orders for 50 contracts or more. See 
ISE Rule 716(a).
    \5\ Only block-size orders can be entered into the Facilitation 
Mechanism, whereas only orders for 500 contracts or more can be 
entered into the Solicited Order Mechanism. See ISE Rule 716(d) and 
(e).
    \6\ ISE members may choose to hide the size, side, and price 
when entering orders into the Block Order Mechanism.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Orders entered into the Block Order Mechanism, Facilitation 
Mechanism, Solicited Order Mechanism, and PIM are currently exposed to 
all market participants for 500 milliseconds, giving them an 
opportunity to enter additional trading interest before the orders are 
automatically executed. Under the proposal, ISE would determine an 
exposure period for each of the four mechanisms that is no less than 
100 milliseconds and no more than 1 second.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ While the proposed rule change would allow ISE to increase 
the exposure period up to 1 second, ISE stated that it currently 
intends to decrease the time period allowed for responses to 100 
milliseconds. See Notice, supra note 3, at 85278. ISE further noted 
that its proposal is consistent with exposure periods permitted in 
similar mechanisms on other options exchanges. See id. at 85278. See 
also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 76301 (October 29, 2015), 
80 FR 68347 (November 4, 2015) (SR-BX-2015-032) and 77557 (April 7, 
2016), 81 FR 21935 (April 13, 2016) (SR-Phlx-2016-40).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Discussion and Commission's 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.\8\ 
In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is 
consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\9\ which requires, among 
other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be 
designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating 
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system and, 
in general, to protect investors and the public interest, and not be 
designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, 
brokers, or dealers. The Commission also finds that the proposed rule 
change is consistent with Section 6(b)(8) of the Act,\10\ which 
requires that the rules of an exchange not impose any burden on 
competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the 
purposes of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 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).
    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that, given the electronic environment of 
ISE, reducing each of the exposure periods from 500 milliseconds to no 
less than 100 milliseconds could facilitate the prompt execution of 
orders, while continuing to provide market participants with an 
opportunity to compete for exposed bids and offers. To substantiate 
that its members could receive, process, and communicate a response 
back to ISE within 100 milliseconds, ISE stated that it surveyed all 
ISE members that responded to an auction in the period beginning July 
1, 2015 and ending January 15, 2016. Each of the twenty-one members 
surveyed indicated that they can currently receive, process, and 
communicate a response back to ISE within 100 milliseconds. To 
implement the reduced exposure periods and help ensure that ISE's and 
its members' systems are working properly given the faster response 
times, ISE will reduce the auction time over a period of weeks, ending 
at 100 milliseconds. Upon effectiveness of the proposal, and at least 
six weeks prior to implementation of the proposed rule change, ISE will 
issue a circular to its members, informing them of the implementation 
date of the reduction of the auction from 500 milliseconds to the 
auction time designated by ISE (100 milliseconds) to allow members the 
opportunity to perform systems changes. ISE also represented that it 
will issue a circular at least four weeks prior to any future changes, 
as permitted by its rules, to the auction time.\11\ In addition, ISE 
reviewed all executions occurring in the mechanisms by ISE members from 
March 28, 2016 to April 25, 2016. This review of executions in the 
mechanisms indicated that approximately 98% of responses that resulted 
in price improving executions at the conclusion of an auction were 
submitted within 500 milliseconds. Approximately 94% of responses that 
resulted in price improving executions at the conclusion of an auction 
were submitted within 100 milliseconds, and 83% were submitted within 
50 milliseconds of the initial order.\12\ Furthermore, with regard to 
the impact of the proposal on system capacity, ISE has analyzed its 
capacity and represented that it has the necessary systems capacity to 
handle the potential additional traffic associated with the additional 
transactions that may occur with the implementation of the reduction in 
the auction duration to no less than 100 milliseconds.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 85279.
    \12\ See id.
    \13\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on ISE's statements, the Commission believes that market 
participants should continue to have opportunities to compete for 
exposed bids and offers within an exposure period of no less than 100 
milliseconds and no more than 1 second.\14\ Accordingly, the Commission 
believes that it is consistent with the Act for the Exchange to modify 
the response times in the Block Mechanism, Facilitation Mechanism, 
Solicited Order Mechanism, and PIM from 500 milliseconds to a time 
period designated by the Exchange of no less than 100 milliseconds and 
no more than 1 second.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ The Commission notes that the ability to designate such an 
exposure time period is consistent with the rules of other options 
exchanges. See supra note 7. See also NASDAQ Phlx Rule 
1080(n)(ii)(A)(4) and NASDAQ BX Options Rules Chapter VI, Section 
9(ii)(A)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Conclusion

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\15\ that the proposed rule change (SR-ISE-2016-26) be, and hereby 
is, approved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-00217 Filed 1-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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