Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1, and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Adopt a New Exception in Phlx Rule 1000(f) for Sub-MPV Split-Price Orders, 8241-8244 [2017-01460]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 24, 2017 / Notices
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–C2–
2017–002 and should be submitted on
or before February 14, 2017.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.11
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017–01462 Filed 1–23–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–79805; File No. SR–Phlx–
2016–82]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing of
Amendment No. 1, and Order Granting
Accelerated Approval of a Proposed
Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 1, To Adopt a New
Exception in Phlx Rule 1000(f) for SubMPV Split-Price Orders
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
January 17, 2017.
I. Introduction
On August 3, 2016, NASDAQ PHLX
LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘Phlx’’) 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 provide an additional
exception to the mandatory use of the
Exchange’s Floor Broker Management
System (‘‘FBMS’’) pursuant to Rule
1000(f)(iii) to permit Floor Brokers to
execute certain sub-minimum price
variation (‘‘sub-MPV’’) split-price orders
in the trading crowd. The proposed rule
11 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
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change was published for comment in
the Federal Register on August 22,
2016.3 On October 3, 2016, the
Commission extended the time period
within which to approve the proposed
rule change, disapprove the proposed
rule change, or institute proceedings to
determine whether to approve or
disapprove the proposed rule change to
November 20, 2016.4 On November 17,
2016, the Commission instituted
proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) of
the Act to determine whether to approve
or disapprove the proposed rule
change.5 On December 9, 2016, the
Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the
proposed rule change.6 The Commission
received no comments on the proposed
rule change. This order provides notice
of filing of Amendment No. 1 and
approves the proposal, as modified by
Amendment No. 1, on an accelerated
basis.
II. Description of the Proposal 7
A. Background
Currently, Phlx Rule 1000(f) requires
that all Exchange options transactions
be executed in one of the following
three ways: ‘‘(i) [a]utomatically by the
Exchange Trading System pursuant to
Rule 1080 and other applicable options
rules; (ii) by and among members in the
Exchange’s options trading crowd none
of whom is a Floor Broker; or (iii)
through the Options [FBMS] for trades
involving at least one Floor Broker.’’ 8
Although a Floor Broker may represent
orders in the trading crowd, a Floor
3 See
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78593
(August 16, 2016), 81 FR 56724 (‘‘Notice’’).
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79023
(October 3, 2016), 81 FR 69877 (October 7, 2016).
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79345
(November 17, 2016), 81 FR 84629 (November 23,
2016).
6 Amendment No. 1 updated the original filing to:
(1) Reflect the implementation of the Exchange’s
new Floor Broker Management System (‘‘FBMS 3’’)
on November 3, 2016; (2) modify proposed Rule
1000(f)(iii)(D) to provide additional detail regarding
how certain split-price orders will be rounded; and
(3) offer three examples to illustrate how split-price
orders will be handled pursuant to the proposed
exception. Amendment No. 1 replaced the original
proposed rule change in its entirety. To promote
transparency of its proposed amendment, when
Phlx filed Amendment No. 1 with the Commission,
it also submitted Amendment No. 1 as a comment
letter to the file, which the Commission posted on
its Web site and placed in the public comment file
for SR–Phlx–2016–82 (available at https://
www.sec.gov/comments/sr=phlx-2016-82/
phlx201682-1.pdf https://www.sec.gov/comments/
sr-cboe-2016-071/cboe2016071.shtml). The
Exchange also posted a copy of its Amendment No.
1 on its Web site (https://
nasdaqphlx.cchwallstreet.com/NASDAQPHLX/pdf/
phlx-filings/2016/SR-Phlx-2016-82_
Amendment_1.pdf) when it filed Amendment No.1
with the Commission.
7 A more detailed description of the proposal
appears in the Notice and in Amendment No. 1.
8 See Phlx Rule 1000(f).
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
8241
Broker is not permitted to execute an
order in the trading crowd unless one of
three exceptions applies.9 The
exceptions to the mandatory use of the
FBMS 10 are set forth in Phlx Rule
1000(f)(iii). These exceptions allow a
Floor Broker to execute a transaction in
the trading crowd (rather than through
the FBMS) if: (i) There is a problem with
Exchange’s systems; (ii) the Floor Broker
is executing the trade pursuant to Phlx
Rule 1059 (‘‘Accommodation
Transactions’’) or Phlx Rule 1079 (‘‘Flex
Index, Equity and Currency Options’’);
or (iii) the transaction involves a multileg order with more than 15 legs.11
B. Split-Price Order Exception Proposal
Phlx Rule 1014(g)(i)(B) provides a
priority rule regarding open outcry splitprice transactions in equity options and
options overlying ETFs to permit a
member who is responding to an order
for at least 100 contracts who buys
(sells) at least 50 contracts at a
particular price to have priority over all
others in purchasing (selling) up to an
equivalent number of contracts of the
same order at the next lower (higher)
price without being required to yield to
existing customer interest in the limit
order book.12 Absent Phlx Rule
1014(g)(i)(B), such orders would be
required to yield priority. The Exchange
states that ‘‘[t]he purpose behind the
split-price priority exception was ‘to
bring about the execution of large
orders, which by virtue of their size and
the need to execute them at multiple
9 See
Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii).
original FBMS (‘‘FBMS 1’’) began operating
in 2005. The Exchange retired FBMS 1 on March
31, 2016 after operating it concurrently with the
Exchange’s enhanced FBMS (‘‘FBMS 2’’), which
was made available on March 7, 2014. As of April
1, 2016, the Exchange only operated FBMS 2. See
Notice, supra note 3, at 56725. On November 3,
2016, the Exchange implemented FBMS 3 and
retired FBMS 2. According to the Exchange, FBMS
3 is currently the sole operating version of FBMS
on the Exchange. See Amendment No. 1, supra note
6, at 3 and 8–10. References throughout this Order
to ‘‘FBMS’’ refer to FBMS 3.
11 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726. See also
Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(A)–(C). According to the
Exchange, each time a Floor Broker uses one of the
current exceptions to Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii), the
Floor Broker is required by Phlx Rule 1063(e)(ii), to
record the information required by Phlx Rule
1063(e)(i) on paper trade tickets. The Exchange
further represents that a Floor Broker may only
represent an order for execution that has been
timestamped with the time of entry on the trading
floor. In addition, according to the Exchange, once
an execution occurs, the trade ticket must be
stamped with the time of execution of such order.
See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726 and Amendment
No. 1, supra note 6, at 11.
12 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726 (citing
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51820 (June
10, 2005), 70 FR 35759 (June 21, 2005) (SR–Phlx–
2005–28)) (approving pilot). See also Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 55993 (June 29, 2007), 72
FR 37301 (July 9, 2007) (SR–Phlx–2007–44)
(permanent approval)).
10 The
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sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
prices may be difficult to execute
without a limited exception to the
priority rules.’ ’’ 13
According to the Exchange, split-price
orders are currently processed using
either FBMS or paper tickets. The use of
FBMS or paper tickets depends on
whether the split-price order can be
evenly split using simple calculations or
whether the split-price order involves
non-even integers and sub-MPV price
points, which requires a more
complicated computation to determine
the number of contracts to trade at two
different price points.14 The Exchange
represents that FBMS does not have the
capability to calculate specific volumes
at two different MPV prices for splitprice orders placed in a sub-MPV
price.15 To compensate for this system
limitation, the Exchange is proposing to
amend Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii) to add a
new exception from the mandatory use
of the FBMS that would allow Floor
Brokers to execute certain split-price
orders in the trading crowd that would
be validated by Phlx surveillance staff
for compliance with applicable priority
and trade-through rules.
Accordingly, the Exchange is
proposing in Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D) to
allow the following split-price orders to
be executed in the trading crowd: (1)
Simple orders not expressed in the
applicable sub-MPV and that cannot be
evenly split into two whole numbers to
create a price at the midpoint of the
MPV; and (2) complex and multi-leg
orders with at least one option leg with
an odd-numbered volume that must
trade at a sub-MPV price or one leg that
qualifies under (1) above.16
The Exchange represents that this
exception ‘‘is anticipated to be
implemented infrequently and in the
following [three] ways.’’ 17 Under the
first scenario, a Floor Broker knows that,
due to a system limitation, a sub-MPV
split-price order cannot be handled by
FBMS.18 In this case, the Floor Broker
would comply with Phlx Rule 1063(e),
expose the order in the trading crowd,
and request the use of the proposed
exception from the Options Exchange
13 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726. Floor
Brokers that avail themselves of the split-price
priority rule are obligated to ensure compliance
with Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act. See
Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 12.
14 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726. Today,
when the computation is more complicated,
surveillance staff allows a Floor Broker to execute
split-price orders involving non-even integers and
sub-MPV price points in open outcry using paper
tickets pursuant to Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(A). See id.
15 See id. at 56727. See Amendment No. 1, supra
note 6, at 20.
16 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56724.
17 See Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 13.
18 See id.
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19:36 Jan 23, 2017
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Official (‘‘Official’’).19 The Official
would confirm his or her understanding
of the order and the availability of the
exemption, and if the Floor Broker’s
request is determined to be valid based
on the split-price calculation, announce
to application of the exemption to the
Floor Broker and the trading crowd.20
After the Floor Broker negotiates and
consummates the trade in the trading
crowd, the Floor Broker would
timestamp the paper ticket at the time
the trade is consummated in the trading
crowd, which would become the time of
execution for the trade.21 The
consummated trade would then be
submitted to the Official to validate for
compliance with priority and tradethrough rules. If compliant, the Official
would permit the Floor Broker to submit
the manual split-price trade, via paper
ticket, for trade reporting.22
The second scenario involves a
situation in which a Floor Broker
submits a split-price order to FBMS, but
the Floor Broker does not realize that
FBMS cannot handle the order because
the price is outside the MPV.23 In this
case, the Floor Broker would comply
with Phlx Rule 1063(e), expose the
order in the trading crowd, and, upon
consummation of the transaction,
submit the order to FBMS for execution.
Because FBMS cannot calculate the
split-price for the order, FBMS would
reject the submission and the Floor
Broker would receive a rejection
message.24 Upon the receipt of this
message, the Floor Broker would inform
the Official that FBMS rejected the splitprice order. The Official would then
review the terms of the consummated
trade and, using the timestamp captured
by the Floor Broker or Official,25
19 See
id.
id. at 13–14.
21 See id. at 14. The Exchange notes that,
typically, the Official captures a timestamp
reflecting the time the Official observed that the
trade was consummated in the trading crowd and
may, in its discretion, substitute this timestamp for
the timestamp recorded by the Floor Broker at the
time of consummation. See id.
22 See Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 14–15.
According to the Exchange, the paper ticket will
reflect the timestamp captured by the Floor Broker
or (as described above) the Official, which will
reflect the time the trade was consummated in the
trading crowd. See id.
23 See id. at 15.
24 See id. According to the Exchange, this might
occur if the order is not priced in the minimum
price increment and consequently FBMS would
reject the trade. See id.
25 According to the Exchange, the Floor Broker
captures a timestamp for the time that the Floor
Broker submitted the proposed execution in FBMS.
The Exchange further represents that, as in scenario
1, the Official also would typically capture a
timestamp reflecting the time that the Official
observed the Floor Broker’s attempt to execute the
transaction in FBMS. Surveillance staff may, in its
discretion, substitute this timestamp for the
20 See
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
validate the consummated trade for
compliance with priority and tradethrough.26 If the consummated trade is
compliant, the Official would permit the
Floor Broker to submit the manual splitprice trade, via paper ticket reflecting
the timestamp captured by the Floor
Broker (or Official), for trade
reporting.27
The third scenario is similar to the
second scenario; however, neither the
Floor Broker nor the Official captures a
reliable time that the consummated
trade was submitted to FBMS for
execution.28 In this case, the Official
would require the Floor Broker to ‘‘retrade’’ the order using a paper ticket in
the sequence described in the first
scenario above.29
The Exchange also proposes that, in
addition to split-price orders executed
pursuant to proposed Phlx Rule
1000(f)(iii)(D), Phlx surveillance staff
would approve all executions submitted
under Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii) to validate
that such executions abide by applicable
priority and trade-through rules.30 The
Exchange also proposes to round prices
if necessary to execute the trade at the
MPV, but only to the benefit of a
customer order, or, where multiple
customer orders are involved, for the
customer order that is earliest in time.31
Where no customer order is involved,
the rounding of prices will be applied
to the non-customer order that is earliest
in time.32
III. Discussion and Commission
Findings
After careful review, the Commission
finds that the proposed rule change, as
modified by Amendment No. 1, is
consistent with the requirements of
Section 6 of the Act 33 and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to a
national securities exchange.34
Specifically, the Commission finds that
the proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,35 which
requires, among other things, that the
rules of a national securities exchange
timestamp recorded by the Floor Broker as the time
that the trade was consummated. See Amendment
No. 1, supra note 6, at 15. See also supra note 21.
26 See id. at 15–16.
27 See id. at 16.
28 See id.
29 See id.
30 See proposed Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii).
31 See proposed Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii); see also
Notice, supra note 3, at 56727.
32 See Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 3 and
7.
33 15 U.S.C. 78f.
34 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).
35 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
be designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, to remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system, and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest; and
not be designed to permit unfair
discrimination between customers,
issuers, brokers, or dealers.
The Commission notes that the
Exchange is proposing a new exception
in Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D) that is
designed to enable Floor Brokers to
execute two types of split-price orders
in the trading crowd that cannot be
processed by FBMS because of a system
limitation.36 The Exchange represents
that its surveillance staff will oversee
Floor Brokers’ use of the proposed Phlx
Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D) exception, which
they do today for current exceptions
provided under Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii).37
The Exchange further represents that for
each execution pursuant to Phlx Rule
1000(f)(iii): (1) Exchange surveillance
staff will verify that the conditions of
the exception under Phlx Rule
1000(f)(iii) are met and will ensure that
the proposed exception for split-price
orders will be used only rarely; 38 (2)
Exchange surveillance staff will approve
36 The Commission notes that the exception for
split-price orders is similar in purpose to the
current exceptions provided in Phlx Rule
1000(f)(iii)(B) and (C). See Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 68960 (February 20, 2013), 78 FR 13132
(February 26, 2013) (SR–Phlx–2013–09)
(recognizing exceptions for certain executions to
occur manually in the trading crowd and not
through FBMS. ‘‘[ ] FLEX orders will continue to
be executable by Floor Brokers in the trading crowd
pursuant to Rule 1079 and 1079A, rather than
through FBMS. This is because FBMS will not be
able to accept FLEX orders, which have varied and
complicated terms. Similarly, accommodation
transactions (also known as cabinet trades) will
continue to be executable by Floor Brokers in the
trading crowd pursuant to Rule 1059. Neither FLEX
nor accommodation transactions are executed
through Exchange systems today. Floor Brokers will
also be permitted to execute orders in the trading
crowd if they are handling an order with more than
15 legs, because the Exchange determined to limit
the complexity of FBMS functionality and does not
believe that many orders fall into this category or
that Floor Brokers will be adversely affected.’’).
37 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726. See also
Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 17. The
Exchange notes its belief that it is ‘‘necessary and
appropriate for the surveillance Staff to exercise
independent judgment with respect to the proper
timestamp for the consummation of trades on the
floor of the Exchange.’’ See Amendment No. 1,
supra note 6, at 14, n.17. According to the
Exchange, ‘‘[t]he surveillance Staff is trained to
observe objectively the conduct of floor
participants, to detect conduct that improperly
advantages floor participants, and to enforce
Exchange rules.’’ Id. Finally, the Exchange notes
that it believes that ‘‘[t]he absence of engaged and
empowered surveillance Staff would undermine the
integrity of the trading floor on the Exchange.’’ Id.
38 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56728. See also
Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 23.
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19:36 Jan 23, 2017
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executions pursuant to Phlx Rule
1000(f)(iii) and validate compliance
with applicable priority rules of the
Exchange and trade-through rules of the
Options Order Protection and Locked/
Crossed Market Plan; 39 and (3) all
relevant trade data resulting from
executions pursuant to Phlx Rule
1000(f)(iii) will be recorded on both
paper tickets and in FBMS to ensure a
proper audit trail for timely
surveillance.40 The Commission notes
that the activities of Phlx Surveillance
under Rule 1000(f)(iii), including the
substitution of timestamps, should be
carried out in an objective manner and
with due regard to the Exchange’s
obligations under the Act.41
For the foregoing reasons, the
Commission finds that the proposed
rule change, as modified by Amendment
No. 1, is consistent with Section 6(b)(5)
of the Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to national
securities exchanges.
IV. Solicitation of Comments on
Amendment No. 1 to the Proposed Rule
Change
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning whether
Amendment No. 1 to 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 No. SR–
Phlx–2016–82 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File No.
SR–Phlx–2016–82. This file number
39 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56727. See also
Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 22. The Options
Order Protection and Locked/Crossed Market Plan
is available at https://www.optionsclearing.com/
components/docs/clearing/services/options_order_
protection_plan.pdf.
40 See Notice, supra note 3, at 56727. See also
Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 22.
41 The Commission notes that Phlx surveillance
staff might substitute the timestamp it captures for
the timestamp captured by a Floor Broker if
necessary to prevent conduct that would
improperly advantage floor participants or to
enforce compliance with the Exchange’s rules. It is
the Commission’s understanding that such a
substitution would happen only rarely and only if
consistent with the authority conferred upon
surveillance staff by the Exchange’s rules. See
Amendment No. 1., supra note 6, at 14, n.17.
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
8243
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 will also be available for
inspection and copying at the principal
office of the Exchange. All comments
received will be posted without change;
the Commission does not edit personal
identifying information from
submissions. You should submit only
information that you wish to make
available publicly. All submissions
should refer to File No. SR–Phlx–2016–
82 and should be submitted on or before
February 14, 2017.
V. Accelerated Approval of Proposed
Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 1
The Commission finds good cause to
approve the proposed rule change, as
modified by Amendment No. 1, prior to
the thirtieth day after the date of
publication of notice of the amended
proposal in the Federal Register. As
described above, in Amendment No. 1,
Phlx updated its proposal to reflect the
implementation of FBMS 3 and the
retirement of FBMS 2; clarified how
prices may be rounded for non-customer
split-price orders; and provided three
examples that explain how split-price
orders will be handled by the Exchange
under the proposed exception.42 The
Commission believes that Amendment
No. 1 provided additional specificity
regarding the operation of the new
proposed exception in Phlx Rule
1000(f)(iii)(D). Accordingly, the
Commission finds good cause, pursuant
to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,43 to
approve the proposed rule change, as
42 See
43 15
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Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 3–4.
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)
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modified by Amendment No. 1, on an
accelerated basis.
VI. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,44 that the
proposed rule change (SR–Phlx–2016–
82), as modified by Amendment No. 1,
be, and hereby is, approved on an
accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.45
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017–01460 Filed 1–23–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–79810; File No. SR–
NASDAQ–2016–161]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; Notice of
Designation of Longer Period for
Commission Action on Proposed Rule
Change To Adopt a New Extended Life
Priority Order Attribute Under Rule
4703, and To Make Related Changes to
Rules 4702, 4752, 4753, 4754, and 4757
January 17, 2017.
On November 17, 2016, The Nasdaq
Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ or
‘‘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
adopt a new Extended Life Priority
Order Attribute. The proposed rule
change was published for comment in
the Federal Register on December 5,
2016.3 The Commission has received six
comment letters on the proposal.4
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act 5 provides
that within 45 days of the publication of
44 See
id.
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79428
(November 30, 2016), 81 FR 87628.
4 See Letters to Brent J. Fields, Secretary,
Commission, from Joseph Saluzzi and Sal Arnuk,
Partners, Themis Trading LLC, dated December 19,
2016; Eric Swanson, EVP, General Counsel and
Secretary, Bats Global Markets, Inc., dated
December 22, 2016; Adam Nunes, Head of Business
Development, Hudson River Trading LLC, dated
December 22, 2016; Joanna Mallers, Secretary, FIA
Principal Traders Group, dated December 23, 2016;
Adam C. Cooper, Senior Managing Director and
Chief Legal Officer, Citadel Securities, dated
December 27, 2016; and Andrew Stevens, General
Counsel, IMC Financial Markets, dated December
28, 2016.
5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
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45 17
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notice of the filing of a proposed rule
change, or within such longer period up
to 90 days as the Commission may
designate if it finds such longer period
to be appropriate and publishes its
reasons for so finding or as to which the
self-regulatory organization consents,
the Commission shall either approve the
proposed rule change, disapprove the
proposed rule change, or institute
proceedings to determine whether the
proposed rule change should be
disapproved. The 45th day for this filing
is January 19, 2017.
The Commission is extending the 45day time period for Commission action
on the proposed rule change. The
Commission finds that it is appropriate
to designate a longer period within
which to take action on the proposed
rule change so that it has sufficient time
to consider the Exchange’s proposal, the
comments received, and any response to
the comments by the Exchange.
Accordingly, pursuant to Section
19(b)(2) of the Act 6 and for the reasons
stated above, the Commission
designates March 5, 2017, as the date by
which the Commission shall either
approve or disapprove, or institute
proceedings to determine whether to
disapprove, the proposed rule change
(File No. SR–NASDAQ–2016–161).
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.7
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017–01465 Filed 1–23–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
[Release No. 34–79811; File No. SR–ISE–
2017–01]
Self-Regulatory Organizations;
International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change To Amend the Schedule of
Fees
January 17, 2017.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on January 3,
2017, the International Securities
Exchange, LLC (‘‘ISE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’)
filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the
proposed rule change as described in
6 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
CFR 200.30–3(a)(31).
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
7 17
Frm 00071
Fmt 4703
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend the
Schedule of Fees as described in more
detail below.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange’s Web site
at https://www.ise.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
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 aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
PO 00000
Items I, II, and III, below, which Items
have been prepared by the Exchange.
The Commission is publishing this
notice to solicit comments on the
proposed rule change from interested
persons.
Sfmt 4703
The purpose of the proposed rule
change is to amend the Exchange’s
Schedule of Fees to eliminate, for all
symbols other than FX symbols, the
$0.20 per contract fee applicable to
Professional Customers 3 for the
initiating or contra side of Qualified
Contingent Cross (‘‘QCC’’) orders or
orders executed in the Solicitation
Mechanism (‘‘Solicitation’’ orders). The
proposed rule change will lower the
rebates that the Exchange provides to
members acting as agent when
Professional Customers trade with other
Professional Customers and when they
trade with Priority Customers for QCC
and other solicited crossing orders 4 to
the same per contract rates and volume
tiers that the Exchange presently
provides to members acting as agent
3 A ‘‘Professional Customer’’ is a person or entity
that is not a broker/dealer and is not a Priority
Customer. See ISE Rule 100(37C).
4 As used herein, the phrase ‘‘other solicited
crossing orders’’ refers to solicited crossing orders
executed in the Solicitation, Facilitation, and Price
Improvement Mechanisms.
E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM
24JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8241-8244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01460]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-79805; File No. SR-Phlx-2016-82]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing
of Amendment No. 1, and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a
Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Adopt a New
Exception in Phlx Rule 1000(f) for Sub-MPV Split-Price Orders
January 17, 2017.
I. Introduction
On August 3, 2016, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (the ``Exchange'' or ``Phlx'')
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
provide an additional exception to the mandatory use of the Exchange's
Floor Broker Management System (``FBMS'') pursuant to Rule 1000(f)(iii)
to permit Floor Brokers to execute certain sub-minimum price variation
(``sub-MPV'') split-price orders in the trading crowd. The proposed
rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on August
22, 2016.\3\ On October 3, 2016, the Commission extended the time
period within which to approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the
proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to determine whether to
approve or disapprove the proposed rule change to November 20, 2016.\4\
On November 17, 2016, the Commission instituted proceedings under
Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act to determine whether to approve or
disapprove the proposed rule change.\5\ On December 9, 2016, the
Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.\6\ The
Commission received no comments on the proposed rule change. This order
provides notice of filing of Amendment No. 1 and approves the proposal,
as modified by Amendment No. 1, on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78593 (August 16,
2016), 81 FR 56724 (``Notice'').
\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79023 (October 3,
2016), 81 FR 69877 (October 7, 2016).
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79345 (November 17,
2016), 81 FR 84629 (November 23, 2016).
\6\ Amendment No. 1 updated the original filing to: (1) Reflect
the implementation of the Exchange's new Floor Broker Management
System (``FBMS 3'') on November 3, 2016; (2) modify proposed Rule
1000(f)(iii)(D) to provide additional detail regarding how certain
split-price orders will be rounded; and (3) offer three examples to
illustrate how split-price orders will be handled pursuant to the
proposed exception. Amendment No. 1 replaced the original proposed
rule change in its entirety. To promote transparency of its proposed
amendment, when Phlx filed Amendment No. 1 with the Commission, it
also submitted Amendment No. 1 as a comment letter to the file,
which the Commission posted on its Web site and placed in the public
comment file for SR-Phlx-2016-82 (available at https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr=phlx-2016-82/phlx201682-1.pdf https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-cboe-2016-071/cboe2016071.shtml). The Exchange also
posted a copy of its Amendment No. 1 on its Web site (https://nasdaqphlx.cchwallstreet.com/NASDAQPHLX/pdf/phlx-filings/2016/SR-Phlx-2016-82_Amendment_1.pdf) when it filed Amendment No.1 with the
Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Description of the Proposal \7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ A more detailed description of the proposal appears in the
Notice and in Amendment No. 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Background
Currently, Phlx Rule 1000(f) requires that all Exchange options
transactions be executed in one of the following three ways: ``(i)
[a]utomatically by the Exchange Trading System pursuant to Rule 1080
and other applicable options rules; (ii) by and among members in the
Exchange's options trading crowd none of whom is a Floor Broker; or
(iii) through the Options [FBMS] for trades involving at least one
Floor Broker.'' \8\ Although a Floor Broker may represent orders in the
trading crowd, a Floor Broker is not permitted to execute an order in
the trading crowd unless one of three exceptions applies.\9\ The
exceptions to the mandatory use of the FBMS \10\ are set forth in Phlx
Rule 1000(f)(iii). These exceptions allow a Floor Broker to execute a
transaction in the trading crowd (rather than through the FBMS) if: (i)
There is a problem with Exchange's systems; (ii) the Floor Broker is
executing the trade pursuant to Phlx Rule 1059 (``Accommodation
Transactions'') or Phlx Rule 1079 (``Flex Index, Equity and Currency
Options''); or (iii) the transaction involves a multi-leg order with
more than 15 legs.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ See Phlx Rule 1000(f).
\9\ See Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii).
\10\ The original FBMS (``FBMS 1'') began operating in 2005. The
Exchange retired FBMS 1 on March 31, 2016 after operating it
concurrently with the Exchange's enhanced FBMS (``FBMS 2''), which
was made available on March 7, 2014. As of April 1, 2016, the
Exchange only operated FBMS 2. See Notice, supra note 3, at 56725.
On November 3, 2016, the Exchange implemented FBMS 3 and retired
FBMS 2. According to the Exchange, FBMS 3 is currently the sole
operating version of FBMS on the Exchange. See Amendment No. 1,
supra note 6, at 3 and 8-10. References throughout this Order to
``FBMS'' refer to FBMS 3.
\11\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726. See also Phlx Rule
1000(f)(iii)(A)-(C). According to the Exchange, each time a Floor
Broker uses one of the current exceptions to Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii),
the Floor Broker is required by Phlx Rule 1063(e)(ii), to record the
information required by Phlx Rule 1063(e)(i) on paper trade tickets.
The Exchange further represents that a Floor Broker may only
represent an order for execution that has been timestamped with the
time of entry on the trading floor. In addition, according to the
Exchange, once an execution occurs, the trade ticket must be stamped
with the time of execution of such order. See Notice, supra note 3,
at 56726 and Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Split-Price Order Exception Proposal
Phlx Rule 1014(g)(i)(B) provides a priority rule regarding open
outcry split-price transactions in equity options and options overlying
ETFs to permit a member who is responding to an order for at least 100
contracts who buys (sells) at least 50 contracts at a particular price
to have priority over all others in purchasing (selling) up to an
equivalent number of contracts of the same order at the next lower
(higher) price without being required to yield to existing customer
interest in the limit order book.\12\ Absent Phlx Rule 1014(g)(i)(B),
such orders would be required to yield priority. The Exchange states
that ``[t]he purpose behind the split-price priority exception was `to
bring about the execution of large orders, which by virtue of their
size and the need to execute them at multiple
[[Page 8242]]
prices may be difficult to execute without a limited exception to the
priority rules.' '' \13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726 (citing Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 51820 (June 10, 2005), 70 FR 35759 (June
21, 2005) (SR-Phlx-2005-28)) (approving pilot). See also Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 55993 (June 29, 2007), 72 FR 37301 (July 9,
2007) (SR-Phlx-2007-44) (permanent approval)).
\13\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726. Floor Brokers that
avail themselves of the split-price priority rule are obligated to
ensure compliance with Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act. See
Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the Exchange, split-price orders are currently
processed using either FBMS or paper tickets. The use of FBMS or paper
tickets depends on whether the split-price order can be evenly split
using simple calculations or whether the split-price order involves
non-even integers and sub-MPV price points, which requires a more
complicated computation to determine the number of contracts to trade
at two different price points.\14\ The Exchange represents that FBMS
does not have the capability to calculate specific volumes at two
different MPV prices for split-price orders placed in a sub-MPV
price.\15\ To compensate for this system limitation, the Exchange is
proposing to amend Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii) to add a new exception from
the mandatory use of the FBMS that would allow Floor Brokers to execute
certain split-price orders in the trading crowd that would be validated
by Phlx surveillance staff for compliance with applicable priority and
trade-through rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726. Today, when the
computation is more complicated, surveillance staff allows a Floor
Broker to execute split-price orders involving non-even integers and
sub-MPV price points in open outcry using paper tickets pursuant to
Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(A). See id.
\15\ See id. at 56727. See Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 20.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accordingly, the Exchange is proposing in Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D)
to allow the following split-price orders to be executed in the trading
crowd: (1) Simple orders not expressed in the applicable sub-MPV and
that cannot be evenly split into two whole numbers to create a price at
the midpoint of the MPV; and (2) complex and multi-leg orders with at
least one option leg with an odd-numbered volume that must trade at a
sub-MPV price or one leg that qualifies under (1) above.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56724.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange represents that this exception ``is anticipated to be
implemented infrequently and in the following [three] ways.'' \17\
Under the first scenario, a Floor Broker knows that, due to a system
limitation, a sub-MPV split-price order cannot be handled by FBMS.\18\
In this case, the Floor Broker would comply with Phlx Rule 1063(e),
expose the order in the trading crowd, and request the use of the
proposed exception from the Options Exchange Official
(``Official'').\19\ The Official would confirm his or her understanding
of the order and the availability of the exemption, and if the Floor
Broker's request is determined to be valid based on the split-price
calculation, announce to application of the exemption to the Floor
Broker and the trading crowd.\20\ After the Floor Broker negotiates and
consummates the trade in the trading crowd, the Floor Broker would
timestamp the paper ticket at the time the trade is consummated in the
trading crowd, which would become the time of execution for the
trade.\21\ The consummated trade would then be submitted to the
Official to validate for compliance with priority and trade-through
rules. If compliant, the Official would permit the Floor Broker to
submit the manual split-price trade, via paper ticket, for trade
reporting.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ See Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 13.
\18\ See id.
\19\ See id.
\20\ See id. at 13-14.
\21\ See id. at 14. The Exchange notes that, typically, the
Official captures a timestamp reflecting the time the Official
observed that the trade was consummated in the trading crowd and
may, in its discretion, substitute this timestamp for the timestamp
recorded by the Floor Broker at the time of consummation. See id.
\22\ See Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 14-15. According to
the Exchange, the paper ticket will reflect the timestamp captured
by the Floor Broker or (as described above) the Official, which will
reflect the time the trade was consummated in the trading crowd. See
id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The second scenario involves a situation in which a Floor Broker
submits a split-price order to FBMS, but the Floor Broker does not
realize that FBMS cannot handle the order because the price is outside
the MPV.\23\ In this case, the Floor Broker would comply with Phlx Rule
1063(e), expose the order in the trading crowd, and, upon consummation
of the transaction, submit the order to FBMS for execution. Because
FBMS cannot calculate the split-price for the order, FBMS would reject
the submission and the Floor Broker would receive a rejection
message.\24\ Upon the receipt of this message, the Floor Broker would
inform the Official that FBMS rejected the split-price order. The
Official would then review the terms of the consummated trade and,
using the timestamp captured by the Floor Broker or Official,\25\
validate the consummated trade for compliance with priority and trade-
through.\26\ If the consummated trade is compliant, the Official would
permit the Floor Broker to submit the manual split-price trade, via
paper ticket reflecting the timestamp captured by the Floor Broker (or
Official), for trade reporting.\27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\23\ See id. at 15.
\24\ See id. According to the Exchange, this might occur if the
order is not priced in the minimum price increment and consequently
FBMS would reject the trade. See id.
\25\ According to the Exchange, the Floor Broker captures a
timestamp for the time that the Floor Broker submitted the proposed
execution in FBMS. The Exchange further represents that, as in
scenario 1, the Official also would typically capture a timestamp
reflecting the time that the Official observed the Floor Broker's
attempt to execute the transaction in FBMS. Surveillance staff may,
in its discretion, substitute this timestamp for the timestamp
recorded by the Floor Broker as the time that the trade was
consummated. See Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 15. See also
supra note 21.
\26\ See id. at 15-16.
\27\ See id. at 16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The third scenario is similar to the second scenario; however,
neither the Floor Broker nor the Official captures a reliable time that
the consummated trade was submitted to FBMS for execution.\28\ In this
case, the Official would require the Floor Broker to ``re-trade'' the
order using a paper ticket in the sequence described in the first
scenario above.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\28\ See id.
\29\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange also proposes that, in addition to split-price orders
executed pursuant to proposed Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D), Phlx
surveillance staff would approve all executions submitted under Phlx
Rule 1000(f)(iii) to validate that such executions abide by applicable
priority and trade-through rules.\30\ The Exchange also proposes to
round prices if necessary to execute the trade at the MPV, but only to
the benefit of a customer order, or, where multiple customer orders are
involved, for the customer order that is earliest in time.\31\ Where no
customer order is involved, the rounding of prices will be applied to
the non-customer order that is earliest in time.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\30\ See proposed Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii).
\31\ See proposed Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii); see also Notice, supra
note 3, at 56727.
\32\ See Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 3 and 7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
III. Discussion and Commission Findings
After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule
change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, is consistent with the
requirements of Section 6 of the Act \33\ and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.\34\
Specifically, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is
consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\35\ which requires, among
other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange
[[Page 8243]]
be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices,
to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and
a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the
public interest; and not be designed to permit unfair discrimination
between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\33\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
\34\ 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).
\35\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Commission notes that the Exchange is proposing a new exception
in Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D) that is designed to enable Floor Brokers
to execute two types of split-price orders in the trading crowd that
cannot be processed by FBMS because of a system limitation.\36\ The
Exchange represents that its surveillance staff will oversee Floor
Brokers' use of the proposed Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D) exception, which
they do today for current exceptions provided under Phlx Rule
1000(f)(iii).\37\ The Exchange further represents that for each
execution pursuant to Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii): (1) Exchange surveillance
staff will verify that the conditions of the exception under Phlx Rule
1000(f)(iii) are met and will ensure that the proposed exception for
split-price orders will be used only rarely; \38\ (2) Exchange
surveillance staff will approve executions pursuant to Phlx Rule
1000(f)(iii) and validate compliance with applicable priority rules of
the Exchange and trade-through rules of the Options Order Protection
and Locked/Crossed Market Plan; \39\ and (3) all relevant trade data
resulting from executions pursuant to Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii) will be
recorded on both paper tickets and in FBMS to ensure a proper audit
trail for timely surveillance.\40\ The Commission notes that the
activities of Phlx Surveillance under Rule 1000(f)(iii), including the
substitution of timestamps, should be carried out in an objective
manner and with due regard to the Exchange's obligations under the
Act.\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\36\ The Commission notes that the exception for split-price
orders is similar in purpose to the current exceptions provided in
Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(B) and (C). See Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 68960 (February 20, 2013), 78 FR 13132 (February 26,
2013) (SR-Phlx-2013-09) (recognizing exceptions for certain
executions to occur manually in the trading crowd and not through
FBMS. ``[ ] FLEX orders will continue to be executable by Floor
Brokers in the trading crowd pursuant to Rule 1079 and 1079A, rather
than through FBMS. This is because FBMS will not be able to accept
FLEX orders, which have varied and complicated terms. Similarly,
accommodation transactions (also known as cabinet trades) will
continue to be executable by Floor Brokers in the trading crowd
pursuant to Rule 1059. Neither FLEX nor accommodation transactions
are executed through Exchange systems today. Floor Brokers will also
be permitted to execute orders in the trading crowd if they are
handling an order with more than 15 legs, because the Exchange
determined to limit the complexity of FBMS functionality and does
not believe that many orders fall into this category or that Floor
Brokers will be adversely affected.'').
\37\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56726. See also Amendment No.
1, supra note 6, at 17. The Exchange notes its belief that it is
``necessary and appropriate for the surveillance Staff to exercise
independent judgment with respect to the proper timestamp for the
consummation of trades on the floor of the Exchange.'' See Amendment
No. 1, supra note 6, at 14, n.17. According to the Exchange, ``[t]he
surveillance Staff is trained to observe objectively the conduct of
floor participants, to detect conduct that improperly advantages
floor participants, and to enforce Exchange rules.'' Id. Finally,
the Exchange notes that it believes that ``[t]he absence of engaged
and empowered surveillance Staff would undermine the integrity of
the trading floor on the Exchange.'' Id.
\38\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56728. See also Amendment No.
1, supra note 6, at 23.
\39\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56727. See also Amendment No.
1, supra note 6, at 22. The Options Order Protection and Locked/
Crossed Market Plan is available at https://www.optionsclearing.com/components/docs/clearing/services/options_order_protection_plan.pdf.
\40\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 56727. See also Amendment No.
1, supra note 6, at 22.
\41\ The Commission notes that Phlx surveillance staff might
substitute the timestamp it captures for the timestamp captured by a
Floor Broker if necessary to prevent conduct that would improperly
advantage floor participants or to enforce compliance with the
Exchange's rules. It is the Commission's understanding that such a
substitution would happen only rarely and only if consistent with
the authority conferred upon surveillance staff by the Exchange's
rules. See Amendment No. 1., supra note 6, at 14, n.17.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the foregoing reasons, the Commission finds that the proposed
rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, is consistent with Section
6(b)(5) of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable
to national securities exchanges.
IV. Solicitation of Comments on Amendment No. 1 to the Proposed Rule
Change
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning whether Amendment No. 1 to 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 No. SR-Phlx-2016-82 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File No. SR-Phlx-2016-82. 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 will also be available
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File No. SR-Phlx-2016-82 and should be
submitted on or before February 14, 2017.
V. Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 1
The Commission finds good cause to approve the proposed rule
change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, prior to the thirtieth day
after the date of publication of notice of the amended proposal in the
Federal Register. As described above, in Amendment No. 1, Phlx updated
its proposal to reflect the implementation of FBMS 3 and the retirement
of FBMS 2; clarified how prices may be rounded for non-customer split-
price orders; and provided three examples that explain how split-price
orders will be handled by the Exchange under the proposed
exception.\42\ The Commission believes that Amendment No. 1 provided
additional specificity regarding the operation of the new proposed
exception in Phlx Rule 1000(f)(iii)(D). Accordingly, the Commission
finds good cause, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,\43\ to
approve the proposed rule change, as
[[Page 8244]]
modified by Amendment No. 1, on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\42\ See Amendment No. 1, supra note 6, at 3-4.
\43\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
VI. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
Act,\44\ that the proposed rule change (SR-Phlx-2016-82), as modified
by Amendment No. 1, be, and hereby is, approved on an accelerated
basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\44\ See id.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\45\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\45\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-01460 Filed 1-23-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P