Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend MIAX Options Rule 515, Execution of Orders and Quotes, 14251-14256 [2017-05345]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 51 / Friday, March 17, 2017 / Notices III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,10 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) 11 thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the protection of investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 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: asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– ISE–2017–22 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–ISE–2017–22. 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–ISE– 2017–22 and should be submitted on or before April 7,2017. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.12 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–05335 Filed 3–16–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–80230; File No. SR–MIAX– 2017–12] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend MIAX Options Rule 515, Execution of Orders and Quotes March 13, 2017. Pursuant to the provisions of 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 March 3, 2017, Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC (‘‘MIAX Options’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change as described in Items I and II 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. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange is filing a proposal to amend Exchange Rule 515, Execution of Orders and Quotes. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https://www.miaxoptions.com/rulefilings, at MIAX’s principal office, and 12 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). 11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:02 Mar 16, 2017 1 15 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14251 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 The purpose of the proposal is to amend Exchange Rule 515(c) to enhance the price protection process of the Exchange’s System.3 The proposal will (i) eliminate a Member’s 4 ability to disable the price protection process, (ii) refine the settings associated with the price protection process, (iii) propose a new behavior of the price protection process to remove certain orders immediately following the commencement of a trading halt and at the end of each trading session, and (iv) eliminate the establishment of a price protection limit for orders received (A) prior to the open or during a trading halt, and (B) during a prior trading session that remain on the Book 5 at the conclusion of the opening process.6 The Exchange provides a price protection process for all orders (excluding Market Maker 7 orders) as part of its commitment to providing risk protection for Member’s orders.8 The price protection process prevents an order from being executed beyond the price designated in the order’s price 3 The term ‘‘System’’ means the automated trading system used by the Exchange for the trading of securities. See Exchange Rule 100. 4 The term ‘‘Member’’ means an individual or organization approved to exercise the trading rights associated with a Trading Permit. Members are deemed ‘‘members’’ under the Exchange Act. See Exchange Rule 100. 5 The term ‘‘Book’’ means the electronic book of buy and sell orders and quotes maintained by the System. See Exchange Rule 100. 6 See Exchange Rule 503(f). 7 The term ‘‘Market Makers’’ refers to ‘‘Lead Market Makers’’, ‘‘Primary Lead Market Makers’’ and ‘‘Registered Market Makers’’ collectively. See Exchange Rule 100. 8 See Exchange Rule 519 for additional order protections. E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM 17MRN1 14252 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 51 / Friday, March 17, 2017 / Notices protection instructions (the ‘‘price protection limit’’).9 The starting point for establishing an order’s price protection limit is the NBBO 10 at the time the order is received by the System, or the MBBO 11 if the ABBO 12 is crossing the MBBO at the time of receipt. The Exchange refers to this value internally as the initial reference price (‘‘IRP’’). The Member may determine the number of Minimum Price Variations (‘‘MPVs’’) 13 away from the IRP that it wants to use to establish its price protection limit. If the order is a ‘‘buy,’’ some number of Minimum Price Variations (‘‘MPVs’’), either as designated by the Member or as defaulted by the Exchange, is added to the IRP to establish the order’s price protection limit. If the order is a ‘‘sell,’’ some number of MPVs, either as designated by the Member or defaulted by the Exchange, is subtracted from the IRP to establish the order’s price protection limit. When an order’s price protection limit is triggered, the order (or the remaining contracts of an order) is canceled by the System. Current Rule 515(c)(1) provides that ‘‘[m]arket participants may designate or disable price protection instructions on an order by order basis.’’ In order to enhance the Exchange’s price protection process, the Exchange proposes to amend the Rule so that market participants no longer have the option to disable price protection instructions on orders. The Exchange believes that this enhancement benefits market participants and the options market as a whole, as this will ensure that all eligible orders have at least some level of price protection. While this proposal effectively mandates usage of the price protection process, the Exchange notes that market participants will still have the ability to set price protection instructions a significant number of MPVs away from the IRP (as discussed below) should they so elect, therefore the Exchange does not view the proposal as a material or significant change. Additionally, the Exchange proposes to enhance the price protection process by refining the settings associated with 9 See Exchange Rule 515(c)(1). term ‘‘NBBO’’ means the national best bid or offer as calculated by the Exchange based on market information received by the Exchange from OPRA. See Exchange Rule 100. 11 The term ‘‘MBBO’’ means the best bid or offer on the Exchange. See Exchange Rule 100. 12 The term ‘‘ABBO’’ or ‘‘Away Best Bid or Offer’’ means the best bid(s) or offer(s) disseminated by other Eligible Exchanges (defined in Rule 1400(f)) and calculated by the Exchange based on market information received by the Exchange from OPRA. See Exchange Rule 100. 13 See Exchange Rule 510. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 10 The VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:02 Mar 16, 2017 Jkt 241001 this process. Currently in the System, Members may disable price protection by providing a value of ¥1 in the price protection instructions, or Members may enable price protection by selecting an MPV value from a range (in whole numbers only) of 0 through 99—that is, the number of MPVs beyond the IRP that an order may trade. Providing Members with such a wide range of MPV settings could render the price protection process ineffective, should a Member select an MPV setting at the upper end of that range. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to establish a narrower range of MPV settings, and to insert the range into the Rule. While this range will be determined by the Exchange and announced to Members through a Regulatory Circular, the range will be (in whole numbers only) no less than zero (0) MPVs and no greater than twenty (20) MPVs away from the IRP. The Exchange also proposes to establish a range of MPV settings from which the Exchange may select to serve as the default value for price protection instructions, should a market participant not provide its own price protection instructions for its order. The current Rule states that this default price protection will be one MPV away from the NBBO at the time of receipt, or the MBBO if the ABBO is crossing the MBBO. The Exchange now proposes to establish a range of MPV settings from one (1) to five (5) MPVs away from the NBBO at the time of receipt. The Exchange will announce the default value for the price protection instruction to Members through a Regulatory Circular, such value shall be in whole numbers only and shall apply universally to all products traded on the Exchange. The Exchange believes that having a range of MPV settings to choose from will provide greater flexibility to the Exchange and enable it to select an appropriate global default MPV value where one is not provided by the market participant. Except as discussed below, orders can be received by the Exchange either prior to or after completion of the opening process. Orders may have a limit price (‘‘limit orders’’) 14 or be priced to buy or sell at the current market price (‘‘market orders’’).15 A market order represents a willingness to buy or sell at the best price available at the time of execution. A market order to buy could execute at the maximum price permitted by the 14 A limit order is an order to buy or sell a stated number of option contracts at a specified price or better. See Exchange Rule 516. 15 A market order is an order to buy or sell a stated number of option contracts at the best price available at the time of execution. See Exchange Rule 516. PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Exchange,16 whereas a market order to sell could execute at the minimum price permitted by the Exchange, or one (1) MPV above zero.17 When orders are received after the opening process is complete and when the market is in a regular trading state, the price protection process tethers the order’s price to the current NBBO, (or MBBO if the ABBO is crossing the MBBO at the time of receipt), and provides protection (based on the number of MPVs supplied by the Member or defaulted by the Exchange) for orders that are priced through the NBBO. Limit Orders For purposes of this Rule 515(c), the Exchange is proposing to consider the effective limit price of a limit order to be the limit price of the order. Depending upon the NBBO at the time of receipt by the System, and the order’s price protection instructions, the order’s price protection limit can be considered either ‘‘more aggressive’’ (equal to or higher than the order’s effective limit price for a buy order or equal to or lower than the order’s effective limit price for a sell order) or ‘‘less aggressive’’ (lower than the order’s effective limit price for a buy order or higher than the order’s effective limit price for a sell order) than the order’s effective limit price. When an order’s price protection limit is equal to or more aggressive than its effective limit price, the order’s effective price protection limit will be the order’s limit price, as an order will never trade through its limit price on the Exchange. Market Orders For purposes of evaluating market orders under the proposed price protection process outlined in this Rule, the Exchange is proposing to consider the effective limit price of a market order to buy to be the maximum price currently permitted by the Exchange’s System,18 and the effective limit price for a market order to sell to be one (1) MPV above zero ($.01 for options quoted and traded in increments as low as $.01, or $.05 for options quoted and traded in increments as low as $.05).19 Depending upon the NBBO at the time of receipt by the System, and the order’s price protection instructions, the order’s price protection limit can either 16 The Exchange notes that the maximum price that an order may be executed at in the System is $1,999.99. 17 A market order to sell could execute at $.01 in an option class quoted and traded in increments as low as $.01; or at $.05 in an option class quoted and traded in increments as low as $.05. See Exchange Rule 510. 18 See supra note 16. 19 See Exchange Rule 510. E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM 17MRN1 asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 51 / Friday, March 17, 2017 / Notices be more aggressive (equal to or higher than the order’s effective limit price for a buy order or equal to or lower than the order’s effective limit price for a sell order) or less aggressive (lower than the order’s effective limit price for a buy order or higher than the order’s effective limit price for a sell order) than the order’s effective limit price. The price protection process will remain unchanged for orders received after the opening process has been completed, when the market is in a regular trading session. For both limit and market orders, when an order’s price protection limit is triggered, the order, or the remaining contracts of the order, is canceled. Under the current rule, this cancellation will only occur during regular trading and can possibly result in an order not receiving an execution at the price anticipated by the Member when the order was submitted, as a result of a price protection limit that is less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price. Under the current rule, an order with a price protection limit less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price will persist throughout the course of an entire trading day, including through a trading halt, (provided the order’s price protection limit isn’t triggered). The Exchange now proposes to evaluate orders at the conclusion of each trading session (including after a trading halt as defined in Rule 504), to identify those orders that have a price protection limit that is less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price, in addition to current functionality. The Exchange believes it is in the best interest of its Members to proactively identify orders on the Book that have a price protection limit that is less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price at the conclusion of each trading session when the market is not in a regular trading state. Given that these orders will never trade to their effective limit price, the Exchange proposes to cancel these orders from the Book so that Members can benefit from an increase in the amount of time available to re-evaluate the current market conditions prior to resubmitting the order to the Exchange. The following examples demonstrate how the proposed process would work for non-routable limit orders. Option MPV = $.01 MBBO: $1.00 × $1.05 ABBO: $1.01 × $1.03 NBBO: $1.01 × $1.03 Order #1 Received: Buy @$1.08 GTC, Price Protection MPVs: 2 1. Order is managed to the ABBO 2. Effective limit price: $1.08 (bid) VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:02 Mar 16, 2017 Jkt 241001 3. Display price: $1.02 (bid) 4. Book price: $1.03 (bid) 5. Price protection limit: $1.05 [(IRP + 2 MPVs) or ($1.03 + $.02)] 6. The order’s price protection limit ($1.05) is less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price ($1.08) Order #2 Received: Buy @$1.04 GTC, Price Protection MPVs: 2 1. Order is Managed to the ABBO 2. Effective limit price: $1.04 3. Display price: $1.02 (bid) 4. Book price: $1.03 (bid) 5. Price protection limit: $1.05 [(IRP + 2 MPVs) or ($1.03 + $.02)] 6. The order’s price protection limit ($1.05) is more aggressive than the order’s effective limit price ($1.04) The Market closes (or Halts as per Rule 504). 1. Order #1 is canceled as the order’s price protection limit ($1.05) is less aggressive than its effective limit price ($1.08). Under proposed Interpretations and Policies .04, the System will cancel a buy order when the order’s price protection limit is lower than the order’s effective limit price. 2. Order #2 is maintained on the Book as the order’s price protection limit ($1.05) is more aggressive than its effective limit price ($1.04). Under proposed Interpretations and Policies .04, the System will not cancel a buy order when the order’s price protection limit is higher than the order’s effective limit price. The following examples demonstrate how the proposed process would work for non-routable market orders. Option MPV = $.01 MBBO: $1.00 × $1.05 ABBO: $1.01 × $1.03 NBBO: $1.01 × $1.03 Order # 3 Received: Buy @the Market GTC, Price Protection MPVs: 2 1. Order is Managed to the ABBO 2. Effective limit price: $1,999.99 (Exchange Maximum) 3. Display price: $1.02 (bid) 4. Book price: $1.03 (bid) 5. Price protection limit: $1.05 [(IRP + 2 MPVs) or ($1.03 + $.02)] 6. The order’s price protection limit ($1.05) is less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price ($1,999.99) Option MPV = $.01 MBBO: $.00 × $.15 ABBO: $.05 × $.15 NBBO: $.05 × $.15 Order #4 Received: Sell @the Market, Price Protection MPVs: 2 1. Order is managed to the ABBO 2. Effective limit price: $.01 3. Display price: $.06 (offer) PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14253 4. Book price: $.05 (offer) 5. Price protection limit: $.03 [(IRP¥2 MPVs) or (.05¥$.02)] 6. The order’s price protection limit ($.03) is less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price ($.01) Order #5 Received: Sell @the Market, Price Protection MPVs: 4 1. Order is managed to the ABBO 2. Effective limit price: $.01 3. Display price: $.06 (offer) 4. Book price: $.05 (offer) 5. Price protection limit: $.01 [(IRP¥4 MPVs) or ($.05¥$.04)] 6. The order’s price protection limit ($.01) is equal to the order’s effective limit price ($.01) The Market closes (or Halts as per Rule 504). 3. Order #3 is canceled as the order’s price protection limit ($1.05) is less aggressive than the orders effective limit price ($1,999.99). Under proposed Interpretations and Policies .04, the System will cancel a buy order when the order’s price protection limit is lower than the order’s effective limit price. • Order #4 is canceled as the order’s price protection limit ($0.03) is less aggressive than its effective limit price ($0.01). Under proposed Interpretations and Policies .04, the System will cancel a sell order when the order’s price protection limit is higher than the order’s effective limit price. • Order #5 is maintained on the Book as the order’s price protection limit ($0.01) is equal to its effective limit price ($0.01). Under proposed Interpretations and Policies .04, the System will not cancel a sell order when the order’s price protection limit is not higher than the order’s effective limit price. The Exchange believes that its proposal to cancel orders at the end of a trading session, when the order’s price protection limit is less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price, will afford market participants the opportunity to evaluate whether to resubmit their orders and/or establish a different price and/or price protection instructions, based on then-current market conditions, prior to the opening of the next trading session. Given that the Exchange can discern when an order may not fill at the price levels anticipated, (based on an order having a price protection limit that is less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price), the Exchange believes the most prudent course of action in these circumstances is to return the order to the Member for analysis and evaluation, while the market is not in a regular E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM 17MRN1 asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 14254 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 51 / Friday, March 17, 2017 / Notices trading state, (e.g., a Member submitting a non-routable market order to sell in an option class quoting in $.01 increments, when the MBBO is $0.00 × $0.15 and the NBBO is $0.05 × $0.15, could expect to sell at every price increment down to $.01. However, if the Exchange default price protection instruction is 2 MPVs, the order would receive a price protection limit of $0.03. When the price protection limit is triggered, the order, or the remaining contracts of the order, would be canceled, and the order would not execute at $0.02 or $0.01). Specifically, the Exchange proposes to adopt new Interpretations and Policies .04, to state that the System will cancel certain orders from the Book immediately following the commencement of a trading halt pursuant to Rule 504, and at the end of each trading session, when the order’s price protection limit is less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price. Interpretations and Policies .04 further states that, for the purposes of this Rule, the effective limit price of a limit order will be the order’s limit price; the effective limit price of a market order to buy, will be the maximum price currently permitted by the Exchange; 20 and the effective limit price of a market order to sell, will be one (1) MPV as established by Rule 510, either $.01 for option classes quoted and traded in increments as low as $.01, or $.05 for option classes quoted and traded in increments as low as $.05. Finally, the Exchange proposes to eliminate the establishment of a price protection limit for orders that are received prior to the open or during a trading halt and for orders that remain on the Book at the conclusion of the opening process. Orders received prior to the opening process or during a trading halt and orders carried over from a prior trading session participate in the opening process. This is true today under existing Exchange rules and is not changing under this proposal. The Exchange has a single opening process that is used to open the System for trading at the start of the day, and to reopen the System for trading after an intraday halt.21 During the opening process, the opening price serves as a price protection limit for all orders participating in the opening, and orders that are priced through the opening price are canceled at the conclusion of the opening process.22 23 Following the 20 See supra note 16. Exchange Rule 503. 22 See Exchange Rule 503(f)(2)(vii)(B)(5). 23 The Exchange notes that market orders will never remain on the book after the opening process concludes, as by definition these orders will always 21 See VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:02 Mar 16, 2017 Jkt 241001 opening process, the System currently assigns a new IRP equal to the NBBO to any such orders that remain unexecuted after the opening process is complete. The Exchange now proposes to eliminate the establishment of a price protection limit for orders that have participated in the opening process and that remain on the Book. As proposed, orders that are received prior to the open or during a trading halt and orders from a prior trading session that remain on the Book after the opening process concludes, will be booked and managed at the order’s limit price. An order that is received prior to the open or during a trading halt and that remains on the Book after the opening process concludes is not priced through the opening price and may be booked and managed at its limit price. The order’s limit price serves as the most effective price protection limit as an order will never trade through its limit price on the Exchange. During a regular trading session, an order with a price protection limit that is more aggressive than its limit price will either rest on the Book or fill to its limit price and no further. An order with a price protection limit that is less aggressive than its limit price will either rest on the Book or fill to its price protection limit, which once triggered will cancel the order, or the remaining contracts of the order, which in all cases will be before the order has a chance to trade to its limit price. As proposed, at the conclusion of each trading session, the System will cancel orders with a price protection limit that is less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price. Therefore, the only orders that will remain in the System from a prior session to participate in the opening will be orders with a price protection limit that is more aggressive than the order’s effective limit price. As previously discussed, limit orders with a price protection limit more aggressive than the order’s effective limit price are managed to their limit price, as a limit order will never execute through its limit price, and the price protection limit is not a factor for these orders. Therefore, additional price protection is unnecessary for orders that remain on the Book after participating in the opening process as orders on the Exchange will never trade through their limit price. The Exchange believes that the enhancements it is proposing to its price protection process in the proposed rule change should assist market participants be priced through the opening price and will be filled to the extent possible and then conceled at the conclusion of the opening process. PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 in making informed decisions concerning trading opportunities by clarifying the relationship between an order’s limit price, price protection limit, and the operation of the Exchange’s price protection process. The Exchange believes that the detailed description of this functionality belongs in the Exchange’s Rules in order to inform market participants whose orders are being managed, that such orders may be canceled by the Exchange under certain circumstances, and the reasons therefore. The proposed rule change should assist market participants in making decisions concerning price limits and routing decisions. While this proposal effectively mandates usage of the price protection process, the Exchange notes that market participants will still have the ability to set price protection limits at higher thresholds should they so elect, therefore the Exchange does not view the proposal as a material or significant change. 2. Statutory Basis MIAX believes that its proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 24 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 25 in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. The system protections described above are designed in the interest of protecting investors and to assure fair and orderly markets on the Exchange. Specifically, the Exchange operates an electronic marketplace in which orders are processed and executed in less than one second. Without any safeguards, orders that outsize the liquidity available at the displayed best bid or offer on the Exchange could potentially trade at prices far below the best bid and far above the best offer, creating extreme volatility in the marketplace and poor executions for investors. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change to enhance the price protection process of the Exchange’s System will protect investors and the public interest. The Exchange believes that reducing the number of price levels at which an incoming order can execute 24 15 25 15 E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 17MRN1 asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 51 / Friday, March 17, 2017 / Notices appropriately balances the interests of investors seeking execution of their orders and the Exchange’s obligations to provide a fair and orderly market. Further, the Exchange believes that defining the minimum and maximum range of MPVs available to the Members within the Rule promotes transparency and clarity in the Exchange’s rules and protects investors and the public interest. Additionally, the proposal provides the Exchange with a range of values to select from when establishing a default price protection limit, which provides greater flexibility for the Exchange to adequately tailor its default setting to market conditions. Providing default values will benefit market participants and the options market as a whole as this will ensure that all eligible orders have a minimal level of price protection. The proposal to eliminate a Member’s ability to disable the price protection process will facilitate transactions in securities as Members will have greater confidence that protections are in place that reduce the risk of executions at prices that are significantly through the market. Additionally, the Exchange believes that this benefits all market participants by ensuring that all eligible orders have some level of price protection. As a result, the enhancements to the price protection process promotes just and equitable principles of trade. While this proposal effectively mandates usage of the price protection process, the Exchange notes that market participants will still have the ability to set price protection limits at high thresholds should they so elect, therefore the Exchange does not view the proposal as a material or significant change. The Exchange believes that its proposal to remove orders with a price protection limit less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price at the conclusion of a trading session (or after a trading halt as defined in Rule 504) to be in the best interest of the investor as these orders will never fill to their effective limit price. The price protection process will cancel an order, or the remaining contracts of an order, when the price protection limit is triggered during regular trading. The Exchange believes it is in the best interest of investors for the Exchange to return an order with a price protection limit that is less aggressive than the order’s effective limit price to the Member, while the market is not in regular trading, so that the Member has more time to evaluate whether to resubmit the order and/or establish a different price and/or different price protection instructions, based on the VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:02 Mar 16, 2017 Jkt 241001 then-current market conditions. Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed change will remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market by providing market participants with more time to evaluate their orders which will promote fair and orderly markets, increase overall market confidence, and promote the protection of investors. The Exchange believes that the elimination of a price protection limit for orders that are received prior to the opening or during a trading halt and for orders received during a prior trading session that remain on the book following the Opening Process (other than the price protection afforded by opening price) provides transparency and clarity in the Exchange’s rules. As noted above, the Exchange believes that booking and posting these orders at their limit price provides the same level of protection as the price protection process, as an order will never trade through its limit price on the Exchange. The Exchange believes it is in the interest of investors and the public to accurately describe the behavior of the Exchange’s System in its rules as this information may be used by investors to make decisions concerning the submission of their orders. Transparency and clarity are consistent with the Act because it removes impediments to and perfects the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, protects investors and the public interest by accurately describing the behavior of the Exchange’s System. The Exchange believes its proposal to add new Interpretations and Policies .04 protects investors and the public interest by clearly stating in the Exchange’s rules the method by which the Exchange is evaluating orders for removal by the System. Further, the Exchange believes that providing the definition of effective limit price provides clarity and transparency in the Exchange’s rules. Additionally, the Exchange’s proposal to remove orders where the price protection limit for a buy order is lower than the order’s effective limit price; and where the price protection limit for a sell order is higher than the order’s effective limit price, contributes to the maintenance of a fair and orderly market by returning orders that would not fill to their effective limit price to the market participant for re-evaluation while the market is not in a regular trading state. Market participants can evaluate the current market conditions and consider re-submitting their order with a new price and/or new price protection PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14255 instructions while the market is not active. The Exchange believes this proposal will provide MIAX participants with a better understanding of the Exchange’s price protection process. The description of the System’s functionality is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade by providing a clear and accurate description to all participants of how the price protection process is applied and should assist investors in making decisions concerning their orders. Further, the Exchange believes that the price protection process provides market participants with an appropriate level of risk protection on their orders and contributes to the maintenance of a fair and orderly market. Additionally, the Exchange notes that it has an affiliate Exchange, MIAX PEARL, LLC (‘‘MIAX PEARL’’) and that MIAX Options and MIAX PEARL have similar rules.26 A substantially similar rule on MIAX PEARL became operative when the Exchange commenced operations on February 6, 2017.27 Further, MIAX Options and MIAX PEARL also have a number of common Members and on each Exchange, where feasible, the Exchange intends to implement similar behavior to provide consistency between the Exchanges so as to avoid confusion among Members. Aligning similar rules on the Exchange and MIAX PEARL provides transparency and clarity in the rules and minimizes the potential for confusion, thereby protecting investors and the public interest. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed changes will not impose any burden on intra-market competition because it applies to all MIAX participants equally. In addition, the Exchange does not believe the proposal will impose any burden on inter-market competition as the proposal is intended to protect investors by providing further enhancements and transparency regarding the Exchange’s price protection functionality. 26 The Exchange notes that MIAX PEARL incorporates the following Chapters of the MIAX Options Rule Book by reference: Chapter III, VII, VIII, IX, XI, XIII, XIV, XV, and XVI. 27 See MIAX PEARL Rule 515. E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM 17MRN1 14256 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 51 / Friday, March 17, 2017 / Notices C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days after the date of the filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 28 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 29 thereunder. A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the Act 30 normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date of its filing. However, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) 31 permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange notes that the Exchange and MIAX PEARL have common Members and the proposal will provide, where feasible, consistent functionality between the Exchange and MIAX PEARL, and thus reduce complexity and avoid potential confusion among Members. Accordingly, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and designates the proposal operative upon filing.32 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such 28 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this requirement. 30 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 31 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 32 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has also considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 29 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:02 Mar 16, 2017 Jkt 241001 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 to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments 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 SRMIAX–2017–12 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–MIAX–2017–12. 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–MIAX– Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.33 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–05345 Filed 3–16–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 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: PO 00000 2017–12 and should be submitted on or before April 7, 2017. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–80228; File No. SR–BX– 2017–016] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Data Reporting Requirements of Rule 4770 March 13, 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 February 28, 2017, NASDAQ BX, Inc. (‘‘BX’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II, 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. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 4770 to modify the date of Appendix B Web site data publication pursuant to the Regulation NMS Plan to Implement a Tick Size Pilot Program (‘‘Plan’’). The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https://nasdaqbx.cchwallstreet.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 33 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM 17MRN1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 51 (Friday, March 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14251-14256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05345]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-80230; File No. SR-MIAX-2017-12]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities
Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a
Proposed Rule Change To Amend MIAX Options Rule 515, Execution of
Orders and Quotes

March 13, 2017.
Pursuant to the provisions of 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 March 3, 2017, Miami International Securities
Exchange, LLC (``MIAX Options'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') a proposed rule
change as described in Items I and II 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange is filing a proposal to amend Exchange Rule 515,
Execution of Orders and Quotes.
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
Web site at https://www.miaxoptions.com/rule-filings, at MIAX's
principal office, 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
The purpose of the proposal is to amend Exchange Rule 515(c) to
enhance the price protection process of the Exchange's System.\3\ The
proposal will (i) eliminate a Member's \4\ ability to disable the price
protection process, (ii) refine the settings associated with the price
protection process, (iii) propose a new behavior of the price
protection process to remove certain orders immediately following the
commencement of a trading halt and at the end of each trading session,
and (iv) eliminate the establishment of a price protection limit for
orders received (A) prior to the open or during a trading halt, and (B)
during a prior trading session that remain on the Book \5\ at the
conclusion of the opening process.\6\
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\3\ The term ``System'' means the automated trading system used
by the Exchange for the trading of securities. See Exchange Rule
100.
\4\ The term ``Member'' means an individual or organization
approved to exercise the trading rights associated with a Trading
Permit. Members are deemed ``members'' under the Exchange Act. See
Exchange Rule 100.
\5\ The term ``Book'' means the electronic book of buy and sell
orders and quotes maintained by the System. See Exchange Rule 100.
\6\ See Exchange Rule 503(f).
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The Exchange provides a price protection process for all orders
(excluding Market Maker \7\ orders) as part of its commitment to
providing risk protection for Member's orders.\8\ The price protection
process prevents an order from being executed beyond the price
designated in the order's price

[[Page 14252]]

protection instructions (the ``price protection limit'').\9\ The
starting point for establishing an order's price protection limit is
the NBBO \10\ at the time the order is received by the System, or the
MBBO \11\ if the ABBO \12\ is crossing the MBBO at the time of receipt.
The Exchange refers to this value internally as the initial reference
price (``IRP''). The Member may determine the number of Minimum Price
Variations (``MPVs'') \13\ away from the IRP that it wants to use to
establish its price protection limit. If the order is a ``buy,'' some
number of Minimum Price Variations (``MPVs''), either as designated by
the Member or as defaulted by the Exchange, is added to the IRP to
establish the order's price protection limit. If the order is a
``sell,'' some number of MPVs, either as designated by the Member or
defaulted by the Exchange, is subtracted from the IRP to establish the
order's price protection limit. When an order's price protection limit
is triggered, the order (or the remaining contracts of an order) is
canceled by the System.
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\7\ The term ``Market Makers'' refers to ``Lead Market Makers'',
``Primary Lead Market Makers'' and ``Registered Market Makers''
collectively. See Exchange Rule 100.
\8\ See Exchange Rule 519 for additional order protections.
\9\ See Exchange Rule 515(c)(1).
\10\ The term ``NBBO'' means the national best bid or offer as
calculated by the Exchange based on market information received by
the Exchange from OPRA. See Exchange Rule 100.
\11\ The term ``MBBO'' means the best bid or offer on the
Exchange. See Exchange Rule 100.
\12\ The term ``ABBO'' or ``Away Best Bid or Offer'' means the
best bid(s) or offer(s) disseminated by other Eligible Exchanges
(defined in Rule 1400(f)) and calculated by the Exchange based on
market information received by the Exchange from OPRA. See Exchange
Rule 100.
\13\ See Exchange Rule 510.
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Current Rule 515(c)(1) provides that ``[m]arket participants may
designate or disable price protection instructions on an order by order
basis.'' In order to enhance the Exchange's price protection process,
the Exchange proposes to amend the Rule so that market participants no
longer have the option to disable price protection instructions on
orders. The Exchange believes that this enhancement benefits market
participants and the options market as a whole, as this will ensure
that all eligible orders have at least some level of price protection.
While this proposal effectively mandates usage of the price protection
process, the Exchange notes that market participants will still have
the ability to set price protection instructions a significant number
of MPVs away from the IRP (as discussed below) should they so elect,
therefore the Exchange does not view the proposal as a material or
significant change.
Additionally, the Exchange proposes to enhance the price protection
process by refining the settings associated with this process.
Currently in the System, Members may disable price protection by
providing a value of -1 in the price protection instructions, or
Members may enable price protection by selecting an MPV value from a
range (in whole numbers only) of 0 through 99--that is, the number of
MPVs beyond the IRP that an order may trade. Providing Members with
such a wide range of MPV settings could render the price protection
process ineffective, should a Member select an MPV setting at the upper
end of that range. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to establish a
narrower range of MPV settings, and to insert the range into the Rule.
While this range will be determined by the Exchange and announced to
Members through a Regulatory Circular, the range will be (in whole
numbers only) no less than zero (0) MPVs and no greater than twenty
(20) MPVs away from the IRP.
The Exchange also proposes to establish a range of MPV settings
from which the Exchange may select to serve as the default value for
price protection instructions, should a market participant not provide
its own price protection instructions for its order. The current Rule
states that this default price protection will be one MPV away from the
NBBO at the time of receipt, or the MBBO if the ABBO is crossing the
MBBO. The Exchange now proposes to establish a range of MPV settings
from one (1) to five (5) MPVs away from the NBBO at the time of
receipt. The Exchange will announce the default value for the price
protection instruction to Members through a Regulatory Circular, such
value shall be in whole numbers only and shall apply universally to all
products traded on the Exchange. The Exchange believes that having a
range of MPV settings to choose from will provide greater flexibility
to the Exchange and enable it to select an appropriate global default
MPV value where one is not provided by the market participant.
Except as discussed below, orders can be received by the Exchange
either prior to or after completion of the opening process. Orders may
have a limit price (``limit orders'') \14\ or be priced to buy or sell
at the current market price (``market orders'').\15\ A market order
represents a willingness to buy or sell at the best price available at
the time of execution. A market order to buy could execute at the
maximum price permitted by the Exchange,\16\ whereas a market order to
sell could execute at the minimum price permitted by the Exchange, or
one (1) MPV above zero.\17\ When orders are received after the opening
process is complete and when the market is in a regular trading state,
the price protection process tethers the order's price to the current
NBBO, (or MBBO if the ABBO is crossing the MBBO at the time of
receipt), and provides protection (based on the number of MPVs supplied
by the Member or defaulted by the Exchange) for orders that are priced
through the NBBO.
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\14\ A limit order is an order to buy or sell a stated number of
option contracts at a specified price or better. See Exchange Rule
516.
\15\ A market order is an order to buy or sell a stated number
of option contracts at the best price available at the time of
execution. See Exchange Rule 516.
\16\ The Exchange notes that the maximum price that an order may
be executed at in the System is $1,999.99.
\17\ A market order to sell could execute at $.01 in an option
class quoted and traded in increments as low as $.01; or at $.05 in
an option class quoted and traded in increments as low as $.05. See
Exchange Rule 510.
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Limit Orders
For purposes of this Rule 515(c), the Exchange is proposing to
consider the effective limit price of a limit order to be the limit
price of the order. Depending upon the NBBO at the time of receipt by
the System, and the order's price protection instructions, the order's
price protection limit can be considered either ``more aggressive''
(equal to or higher than the order's effective limit price for a buy
order or equal to or lower than the order's effective limit price for a
sell order) or ``less aggressive'' (lower than the order's effective
limit price for a buy order or higher than the order's effective limit
price for a sell order) than the order's effective limit price. When an
order's price protection limit is equal to or more aggressive than its
effective limit price, the order's effective price protection limit
will be the order's limit price, as an order will never trade through
its limit price on the Exchange.
Market Orders
For purposes of evaluating market orders under the proposed price
protection process outlined in this Rule, the Exchange is proposing to
consider the effective limit price of a market order to buy to be the
maximum price currently permitted by the Exchange's System,\18\ and the
effective limit price for a market order to sell to be one (1) MPV
above zero ($.01 for options quoted and traded in increments as low as
$.01, or $.05 for options quoted and traded in increments as low as
$.05).\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\18\ See supra note 16.
\19\ See Exchange Rule 510.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Depending upon the NBBO at the time of receipt by the System, and
the order's price protection instructions, the order's price protection
limit can either

[[Page 14253]]

be more aggressive (equal to or higher than the order's effective limit
price for a buy order or equal to or lower than the order's effective
limit price for a sell order) or less aggressive (lower than the
order's effective limit price for a buy order or higher than the
order's effective limit price for a sell order) than the order's
effective limit price.
The price protection process will remain unchanged for orders
received after the opening process has been completed, when the market
is in a regular trading session. For both limit and market orders, when
an order's price protection limit is triggered, the order, or the
remaining contracts of the order, is canceled. Under the current rule,
this cancellation will only occur during regular trading and can
possibly result in an order not receiving an execution at the price
anticipated by the Member when the order was submitted, as a result of
a price protection limit that is less aggressive than the order's
effective limit price. Under the current rule, an order with a price
protection limit less aggressive than the order's effective limit price
will persist throughout the course of an entire trading day, including
through a trading halt, (provided the order's price protection limit
isn't triggered).
The Exchange now proposes to evaluate orders at the conclusion of
each trading session (including after a trading halt as defined in Rule
504), to identify those orders that have a price protection limit that
is less aggressive than the order's effective limit price, in addition
to current functionality. The Exchange believes it is in the best
interest of its Members to proactively identify orders on the Book that
have a price protection limit that is less aggressive than the order's
effective limit price at the conclusion of each trading session when
the market is not in a regular trading state. Given that these orders
will never trade to their effective limit price, the Exchange proposes
to cancel these orders from the Book so that Members can benefit from
an increase in the amount of time available to re-evaluate the current
market conditions prior to resubmitting the order to the Exchange.
The following examples demonstrate how the proposed process would
work for non-routable limit orders.

Option MPV = $.01
MBBO: $1.00 x $1.05
ABBO: $1.01 x $1.03
NBBO: $1.01 x $1.03
Order #1 Received: Buy @$1.08 GTC, Price Protection MPVs: 2
1. Order is managed to the ABBO
2. Effective limit price: $1.08 (bid)
3. Display price: $1.02 (bid)
4. Book price: $1.03 (bid)
5. Price protection limit: $1.05 [(IRP + 2 MPVs) or ($1.03 + $.02)]
6. The order's price protection limit ($1.05) is less aggressive than
the order's effective limit price ($1.08)

Order #2 Received: Buy @$1.04 GTC, Price Protection MPVs: 2

1. Order is Managed to the ABBO
2. Effective limit price: $1.04
3. Display price: $1.02 (bid)
4. Book price: $1.03 (bid)
5. Price protection limit: $1.05 [(IRP + 2 MPVs) or ($1.03 + $.02)]
6. The order's price protection limit ($1.05) is more aggressive than
the order's effective limit price ($1.04)

The Market closes (or Halts as per Rule 504).
1. Order #1 is canceled as the order's price protection limit ($1.05)
is less aggressive than its effective limit price ($1.08). Under
proposed Interpretations and Policies .04, the System will cancel a buy
order when the order's price protection limit is lower than the order's
effective limit price.
2. Order #2 is maintained on the Book as the order's price protection
limit ($1.05) is more aggressive than its effective limit price
($1.04). Under proposed Interpretations and Policies .04, the System
will not cancel a buy order when the order's price protection limit is
higher than the order's effective limit price.

The following examples demonstrate how the proposed process would
work for non-routable market orders.

Option MPV = $.01
MBBO: $1.00 x $1.05
ABBO: $1.01 x $1.03
NBBO: $1.01 x $1.03

Order # 3 Received: Buy @the Market GTC, Price Protection MPVs: 2

1. Order is Managed to the ABBO
2. Effective limit price: $1,999.99 (Exchange Maximum)
3. Display price: $1.02 (bid)
4. Book price: $1.03 (bid)
5. Price protection limit: $1.05 [(IRP + 2 MPVs) or ($1.03 + $.02)]
6. The order's price protection limit ($1.05) is less aggressive than
the order's effective limit price ($1,999.99)
Option MPV = $.01
MBBO: $.00 x $.15
ABBO: $.05 x $.15
NBBO: $.05 x $.15

Order #4 Received: Sell @the Market, Price Protection MPVs: 2

1. Order is managed to the ABBO
2. Effective limit price: $.01
3. Display price: $.06 (offer)
4. Book price: $.05 (offer)
5. Price protection limit: $.03 [(IRP-2 MPVs) or (.05-$.02)]
6. The order's price protection limit ($.03) is less aggressive than
the order's effective limit price ($.01)

Order #5 Received: Sell @the Market, Price Protection MPVs: 4

1. Order is managed to the ABBO
2. Effective limit price: $.01
3. Display price: $.06 (offer)
4. Book price: $.05 (offer)
5. Price protection limit: $.01 [(IRP-4 MPVs) or ($.05-$.04)]
6. The order's price protection limit ($.01) is equal to the order's
effective limit price ($.01)

The Market closes (or Halts as per Rule 504).

3. Order #3 is canceled as the order's price protection limit ($1.05)
is less aggressive than the orders effective limit price ($1,999.99).
Under proposed Interpretations and Policies .04, the System will cancel
a buy order when the order's price protection limit is lower than the
order's effective limit price.
Order #4 is canceled as the order's price protection limit
($0.03) is less aggressive than its effective limit price ($0.01).
Under proposed Interpretations and Policies .04, the System will cancel
a sell order when the order's price protection limit is higher than the
order's effective limit price.
Order #5 is maintained on the Book as the order's price
protection limit ($0.01) is equal to its effective limit price ($0.01).
Under proposed Interpretations and Policies .04, the System will not
cancel a sell order when the order's price protection limit is not
higher than the order's effective limit price.

The Exchange believes that its proposal to cancel orders at the end
of a trading session, when the order's price protection limit is less
aggressive than the order's effective limit price, will afford market
participants the opportunity to evaluate whether to re-submit their
orders and/or establish a different price and/or price protection
instructions, based on then-current market conditions, prior to the
opening of the next trading session. Given that the Exchange can
discern when an order may not fill at the price levels anticipated,
(based on an order having a price protection limit that is less
aggressive than the order's effective limit price), the Exchange
believes the most prudent course of action in these circumstances is to
return the order to the Member for analysis and evaluation, while the
market is not in a regular

[[Page 14254]]

trading state, (e.g., a Member submitting a non-routable market order
to sell in an option class quoting in $.01 increments, when the MBBO is
$0.00 x $0.15 and the NBBO is $0.05 x $0.15, could expect to sell at
every price increment down to $.01. However, if the Exchange default
price protection instruction is 2 MPVs, the order would receive a price
protection limit of $0.03. When the price protection limit is
triggered, the order, or the remaining contracts of the order, would be
canceled, and the order would not execute at $0.02 or $0.01).
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to adopt new Interpretations
and Policies .04, to state that the System will cancel certain orders
from the Book immediately following the commencement of a trading halt
pursuant to Rule 504, and at the end of each trading session, when the
order's price protection limit is less aggressive than the order's
effective limit price. Interpretations and Policies .04 further states
that, for the purposes of this Rule, the effective limit price of a
limit order will be the order's limit price; the effective limit price
of a market order to buy, will be the maximum price currently permitted
by the Exchange; \20\ and the effective limit price of a market order
to sell, will be one (1) MPV as established by Rule 510, either $.01
for option classes quoted and traded in increments as low as $.01, or
$.05 for option classes quoted and traded in increments as low as $.05.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\20\ See supra note 16.
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Finally, the Exchange proposes to eliminate the establishment of a
price protection limit for orders that are received prior to the open
or during a trading halt and for orders that remain on the Book at the
conclusion of the opening process. Orders received prior to the opening
process or during a trading halt and orders carried over from a prior
trading session participate in the opening process. This is true today
under existing Exchange rules and is not changing under this proposal.
The Exchange has a single opening process that is used to open the
System for trading at the start of the day, and to reopen the System
for trading after an intraday halt.\21\ During the opening process, the
opening price serves as a price protection limit for all orders
participating in the opening, and orders that are priced through the
opening price are canceled at the conclusion of the opening
process.\22\ \23\ Following the opening process, the System currently
assigns a new IRP equal to the NBBO to any such orders that remain
unexecuted after the opening process is complete.
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\21\ See Exchange Rule 503.
\22\ See Exchange Rule 503(f)(2)(vii)(B)(5).
\23\ The Exchange notes that market orders will never remain on
the book after the opening process concludes, as by definition these
orders will always be priced through the opening price and will be
filled to the extent possible and then conceled at the conclusion of
the opening process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Exchange now proposes to eliminate the establishment of a price
protection limit for orders that have participated in the opening
process and that remain on the Book. As proposed, orders that are
received prior to the open or during a trading halt and orders from a
prior trading session that remain on the Book after the opening process
concludes, will be booked and managed at the order's limit price. An
order that is received prior to the open or during a trading halt and
that remains on the Book after the opening process concludes is not
priced through the opening price and may be booked and managed at its
limit price. The order's limit price serves as the most effective price
protection limit as an order will never trade through its limit price
on the Exchange.
During a regular trading session, an order with a price protection
limit that is more aggressive than its limit price will either rest on
the Book or fill to its limit price and no further. An order with a
price protection limit that is less aggressive than its limit price
will either rest on the Book or fill to its price protection limit,
which once triggered will cancel the order, or the remaining contracts
of the order, which in all cases will be before the order has a chance
to trade to its limit price. As proposed, at the conclusion of each
trading session, the System will cancel orders with a price protection
limit that is less aggressive than the order's effective limit price.
Therefore, the only orders that will remain in the System from a prior
session to participate in the opening will be orders with a price
protection limit that is more aggressive than the order's effective
limit price. As previously discussed, limit orders with a price
protection limit more aggressive than the order's effective limit price
are managed to their limit price, as a limit order will never execute
through its limit price, and the price protection limit is not a factor
for these orders. Therefore, additional price protection is unnecessary
for orders that remain on the Book after participating in the opening
process as orders on the Exchange will never trade through their limit
price.
The Exchange believes that the enhancements it is proposing to its
price protection process in the proposed rule change should assist
market participants in making informed decisions concerning trading
opportunities by clarifying the relationship between an order's limit
price, price protection limit, and the operation of the Exchange's
price protection process. The Exchange believes that the detailed
description of this functionality belongs in the Exchange's Rules in
order to inform market participants whose orders are being managed,
that such orders may be canceled by the Exchange under certain
circumstances, and the reasons therefore. The proposed rule change
should assist market participants in making decisions concerning price
limits and routing decisions. While this proposal effectively mandates
usage of the price protection process, the Exchange notes that market
participants will still have the ability to set price protection limits
at higher thresholds should they so elect, therefore the Exchange does
not view the proposal as a material or significant change.
2. Statutory Basis
MIAX believes that its proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b) of the Act \24\ in general, and furthers the objectives of
Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \25\ in particular, in that it is designed
to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote
just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and
coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in
securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a
free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to
protect investors and the public interest. The system protections
described above are designed in the interest of protecting investors
and to assure fair and orderly markets on the Exchange.
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\24\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\25\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Specifically, the Exchange operates an electronic marketplace in
which orders are processed and executed in less than one second.
Without any safeguards, orders that outsize the liquidity available at
the displayed best bid or offer on the Exchange could potentially trade
at prices far below the best bid and far above the best offer, creating
extreme volatility in the marketplace and poor executions for
investors.
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change to enhance the
price protection process of the Exchange's System will protect
investors and the public interest. The Exchange believes that reducing
the number of price levels at which an incoming order can execute

[[Page 14255]]

appropriately balances the interests of investors seeking execution of
their orders and the Exchange's obligations to provide a fair and
orderly market. Further, the Exchange believes that defining the
minimum and maximum range of MPVs available to the Members within the
Rule promotes transparency and clarity in the Exchange's rules and
protects investors and the public interest.
Additionally, the proposal provides the Exchange with a range of
values to select from when establishing a default price protection
limit, which provides greater flexibility for the Exchange to
adequately tailor its default setting to market conditions. Providing
default values will benefit market participants and the options market
as a whole as this will ensure that all eligible orders have a minimal
level of price protection. The proposal to eliminate a Member's ability
to disable the price protection process will facilitate transactions in
securities as Members will have greater confidence that protections are
in place that reduce the risk of executions at prices that are
significantly through the market. Additionally, the Exchange believes
that this benefits all market participants by ensuring that all
eligible orders have some level of price protection. As a result, the
enhancements to the price protection process promotes just and
equitable principles of trade. While this proposal effectively mandates
usage of the price protection process, the Exchange notes that market
participants will still have the ability to set price protection limits
at high thresholds should they so elect, therefore the Exchange does
not view the proposal as a material or significant change.
The Exchange believes that its proposal to remove orders with a
price protection limit less aggressive than the order's effective limit
price at the conclusion of a trading session (or after a trading halt
as defined in Rule 504) to be in the best interest of the investor as
these orders will never fill to their effective limit price. The price
protection process will cancel an order, or the remaining contracts of
an order, when the price protection limit is triggered during regular
trading. The Exchange believes it is in the best interest of investors
for the Exchange to return an order with a price protection limit that
is less aggressive than the order's effective limit price to the
Member, while the market is not in regular trading, so that the Member
has more time to evaluate whether to re-submit the order and/or
establish a different price and/or different price protection
instructions, based on the then-current market conditions.
Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed change will remove
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market by
providing market participants with more time to evaluate their orders
which will promote fair and orderly markets, increase overall market
confidence, and promote the protection of investors.
The Exchange believes that the elimination of a price protection
limit for orders that are received prior to the opening or during a
trading halt and for orders received during a prior trading session
that remain on the book following the Opening Process (other than the
price protection afforded by opening price) provides transparency and
clarity in the Exchange's rules. As noted above, the Exchange believes
that booking and posting these orders at their limit price provides the
same level of protection as the price protection process, as an order
will never trade through its limit price on the Exchange. The Exchange
believes it is in the interest of investors and the public to
accurately describe the behavior of the Exchange's System in its rules
as this information may be used by investors to make decisions
concerning the submission of their orders. Transparency and clarity are
consistent with the Act because it removes impediments to and perfects
the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system,
and, in general, protects investors and the public interest by
accurately describing the behavior of the Exchange's System.
The Exchange believes its proposal to add new Interpretations and
Policies .04 protects investors and the public interest by clearly
stating in the Exchange's rules the method by which the Exchange is
evaluating orders for removal by the System. Further, the Exchange
believes that providing the definition of effective limit price
provides clarity and transparency in the Exchange's rules.
Additionally, the Exchange's proposal to remove orders where the price
protection limit for a buy order is lower than the order's effective
limit price; and where the price protection limit for a sell order is
higher than the order's effective limit price, contributes to the
maintenance of a fair and orderly market by returning orders that would
not fill to their effective limit price to the market participant for
re-evaluation while the market is not in a regular trading state.
Market participants can evaluate the current market conditions and
consider re-submitting their order with a new price and/or new price
protection instructions while the market is not active.
The Exchange believes this proposal will provide MIAX participants
with a better understanding of the Exchange's price protection process.
The description of the System's functionality is designed to promote
just and equitable principles of trade by providing a clear and
accurate description to all participants of how the price protection
process is applied and should assist investors in making decisions
concerning their orders. Further, the Exchange believes that the price
protection process provides market participants with an appropriate
level of risk protection on their orders and contributes to the
maintenance of a fair and orderly market.
Additionally, the Exchange notes that it has an affiliate Exchange,
MIAX PEARL, LLC (``MIAX PEARL'') and that MIAX Options and MIAX PEARL
have similar rules.\26\ A substantially similar rule on MIAX PEARL
became operative when the Exchange commenced operations on February 6,
2017.\27\ Further, MIAX Options and MIAX PEARL also have a number of
common Members and on each Exchange, where feasible, the Exchange
intends to implement similar behavior to provide consistency between
the Exchanges so as to avoid confusion among Members. Aligning similar
rules on the Exchange and MIAX PEARL provides transparency and clarity
in the rules and minimizes the potential for confusion, thereby
protecting investors and the public interest.
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\26\ The Exchange notes that MIAX PEARL incorporates the
following Chapters of the MIAX Options Rule Book by reference:
Chapter III, VII, VIII, IX, XI, XIII, XIV, XV, and XVI.
\27\ See MIAX PEARL Rule 515.
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Specifically, the Exchange
believes the proposed changes will not impose any burden on intra-
market competition because it applies to all MIAX participants equally.
In addition, the Exchange does not believe the proposal will impose any
burden on inter-market competition as the proposal is intended to
protect investors by providing further enhancements and transparency
regarding the Exchange's price protection functionality.

[[Page 14256]]

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i)
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii)
become operative for 30 days after the date of the filing, or such
shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective
pursuant to 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \28\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \29\
thereunder.
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\28\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\29\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the
Act \30\ normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date
of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \31\ permits the
Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent
with the protection of investors and the public interest. In its filing
with the Commission, the Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the
30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative
immediately upon filing. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-
day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and
the public interest. The Exchange notes that the Exchange and MIAX
PEARL have common Members and the proposal will provide, where
feasible, consistent functionality between the Exchange and MIAX PEARL,
and thus reduce complexity and avoid potential confusion among Members.
Accordingly, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and
designates the proposal operative upon filing.\32\
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\30\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\31\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\32\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to
determine whether the proposed rule 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

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- MIAX-2017-12 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-MIAX-2017-12. 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-MIAX-2017-12 and should be
submitted on or before April 7, 2017.
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\33\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\33\
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-05345 Filed 3-16-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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