Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 3, To List and Trade Shares of the ForceShares Daily 4X US Market Futures Long Fund and ForceShares Daily 4X US Market Futures Short Fund Under Commentary .02 to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.200, 21443-21446 [2017-09196]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 87 / Monday, May 8, 2017 / Notices
notice by the Commission authorizing
FICC to implement FICC’s advance
notice proposal (SR–FICC–2017–803)
that is consistent with this proposed
rule change, whichever is later.37
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.38
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Order Approving a
Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 3, To List and Trade
Shares of the ForceShares Daily 4X US
Market Futures Long Fund and
ForceShares Daily 4X US Market
Futures Short Fund Under
Commentary .02 to NYSE Arca Equities
Rule 8.200
[Release No. 34–80579; File No. SR–
NYSEArca–2016–120]
[FR Doc. 2017–09193 Filed 5–5–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
May 2, 2017.
Sunshine Act Meeting
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to
the provisions of the Government in the
Sunshine Act, Public Law 94–409, that
the Securities and Exchange
Commission Advisory Committee on
Small and Emerging Companies will
hold a public meeting on Wednesday,
May 10, 2017, in Multi-Purpose Room
LL–006 at the Commission’s
headquarters, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC.
The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m.
(EDT) and will be open to the public.
Seating will be on a first-come, firstserved basis. Doors will open at 8:30
a.m. Visitors will be subject to security
checks. The meeting will be webcast on
the Commission’s Web site at
www.sec.gov.
On April 27, 2017, the Commission
published notice of the Committee
meeting (Release No. 33–10350),
indicating that the meeting is open to
the public and inviting the public to
submit written comments to the
Committee. This Sunshine Act notice is
being issued because a majority of the
Commission may attend the meeting.
The agenda for the meeting includes
matters relating to rules and regulations
affecting small and emerging companies
under the Federal securities laws.
For further information, please
contact Brent J. Fields from the Office of
the Secretary at (202) 551–5400.
Dated: May 3, 2017.
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
37 In approving the proposed rule change, the
Commission considered the proposals’ impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15
U.S.C. 78c(f).
38 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
19:22 May 05, 2017
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79201
(October 31, 2016), 81 FR 76977.
4 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79550,
81 FR 92892 (December 20, 2016). The Commission
designated February 2, 2017 as the date by which
it shall approve the proposed rule change,
disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute
proceedings to determine whether to disapprove the
proposed rule change.
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79914,
82 FR 9625 (February 7, 2017).
2 17
[FR Doc. 2017–09407 Filed 5–4–17; 4:15 pm]
VerDate Sep<11>2014
I. Introduction
On October 17, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc.
(‘‘NYSE Arca’’ 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 list and trade shares
(‘‘Shares’’) of the ForceShares Daily 4X
US Market Futures Long Fund (‘‘Fund’’
or ‘‘Long Fund’’) and ForceShares Daily
4X US Market Futures Short Fund
(‘‘Fund’’ or ‘‘Short Fund’’ and, together
with the Long Fund, the ‘‘Funds’’)
under Commentary .02 to NYSE Arca
Equities Rule 8.200. The proposed rule
change was published for comment in
the Federal Register on November 4,
2016.3 On December 14, 2016, pursuant
to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,4 the
Commission designated a longer period
within which to approve the proposed
rule change, disapprove the proposed
rule change, or institute proceedings to
determine whether to disapprove the
proposed rule change.5 On December
22, 2016, the Exchange filed
Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule
change, which replaced and superseded
the proposed rule change as originally
filed. On February 1, 2017, the
Commission instituted proceedings to
determine whether to approve or
disapprove the proposed rule change.6
On February 15, 2017, the Exchange
filed Amendment No. 2 to the proposed
rule change, which replaced and
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superseded the proposed rule change as
modified by Amendment No. 1. On
April 20, 2017, the Exchange filed
Amendment No. 3 to the proposed rule
change, which replaced and superseded
the proposed rule change as modified by
Amendment No. 2.7 The Commission
received no comments on the proposed
rule change. This order approves the
proposed rule change, as modified by
Amendment No. 3.
II. Description of the Proposed Rule
Change, as Modified by Amendment
No. 3 8
The Exchange proposes to list and
trade the Shares under Commentary .02
to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.200,
which governs the listing and trading of
Trust Issued Receipts on the Exchange.
Each Fund is a commodity pool that is
a series of the ForceShares Trust
(‘‘Trust’’).9 ForceShares LLC will be the
sponsor of the Funds (‘‘Sponsor’’). ALPS
Distributors, Inc. will be the marketing
agent for the Shares. U.S. Bank National
Association will be the Funds’
custodian (‘‘Custodian’’). The Custodian
will also be the registrar and transfer
agent for the Shares.
The Long Fund’s primary investment
objective is to seek daily investment
results, before fees and expenses, that
correspond to approximately four times
(400%) the daily performance of the
7 In Amendment No. 3, the Exchange: (1) Clarified
the permissible investments of the Funds; (2)
clarified the prices that will be used to calculate the
net asset value (‘‘NAV’’) for each Fund; (3) stated
that the indicative fund value (‘‘IFV’’) will be
calculated and disseminated throughout the
Exchange Core Trading Session; (4) amended and
clarified the description of the creation and
redemption process for the Shares; (5) added a
discussion regarding the impact on the arbitrage
mechanism as a result of the use of derivatives; (6)
amended and supplemented the description of the
information that will be provided to ETP Holders
through the Information Bulletin; (7) provided
information regarding the obligations of ETP
Holders to follow FINRA guidance relating to
increased sales practice and customer margin
requirements applicable to inverse, leveraged, and
inverse leveraged securities; and (8) made various
technical changes. Amendment No. 3 is not subject
to notice and comment because it does not
materially alter the substance of the proposed rule
change or raise unique or novel regulatory issues.
All of the amendments to the proposed rule change
are available at: https://www.sec.gov/comments/srnysearca-2016-120/nysearca2016120.shtml.
8 The Commission notes that additional
information regarding the Trust (defined below), the
Funds, their investments, and the Shares, including
investment strategies, risks, creation and
redemption procedures, fees, portfolio holdings
disclosure policies, and taxes, among other
information, can be found in Amendment No. 3,
supra note 7, and the Registration Statement, infra
note 9.
9 The Trust is registered under the Securities Act
of 1933. On September 30, 2016, the Trust filed
with the Commission a registration statement on
Form S–1 under the Securities Act of 1933 relating
to the Funds (File No. 333–213911) (‘‘Registration
Statement’’).
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closing settlement price for lead month
(i.e., the ‘‘near month’’ or next-to-expire)
Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Price Index
Futures contracts (‘‘Big S&P Contracts’’)
that are traded on the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange (‘‘CME’’). This
closing settlement price is referred to as
the ‘‘Benchmark.’’10 The Short Fund’s
primary investment objective is to seek
daily investment results, before fees and
expenses, that correspond to
approximately four times the inverse (400%) of the daily performance of the
Benchmark. Each Fund will not seek to
achieve its primary investment objective
over a period of time greater than a
single day.11
Under normal market conditions,
each Fund will seek to achieve its
primary investment objective primarily
by investing in Big S&P Contracts. Each
Fund will also invest in E-Mini S&P 500
Futures contracts (‘‘E-Minis’’ and,
together with Big S&P Contracts,
‘‘Primary S&P Interests’’) to seek to
achieve its primary investment objective
where position limits prevent further
purchases of Big S&P Contracts. Each
Fund expects to apply approximately
10–25% of its portfolio toward
obtaining exposure to futures contracts,
all of which will be lead month or
deferred month Primary S&P Interests.
Subsequently, each Fund may also
invest in swap agreements (cleared and
over-the-counter) referencing Primary
S&P Interests or the S&P 500 Index, and
over-the-counter forward contracts
referencing Primary S&P Interests
(‘‘Other S&P Interests’’ and, together
with Primary S&P Interests, ‘‘S&P
Interests’’).12 Each Fund may invest in
Other S&P Interests in an amount up to
25% of its net assets.
Each Fund may acquire or dispose of
Stop Options, which will be options on
Primary S&P Interests, in pursuing its
secondary investment objective of
recouping a small amount of a Fund’s
losses from an extreme, short term
movement in the Benchmark.13 Stop
10 The design of the Funds’ Benchmark is such
that it will change four times per year in connection
with the expiration of the lead month Big S&P
Contracts, and each Fund’s positions in S&P
Interests (defined below) will be rolled on a regular
basis in order to track the changing nature of the
Benchmark.
11 The Exchange states that the return of each
Fund for periods longer than a single day will be
the result of each day’s returns compounded over
the period, which will very likely differ from four
times the total performance, in the case of the Long
Fund, or four times the inverse of the total
performance, in the case of the Short Fund, of the
Benchmark over the same period.
12 The Sponsor will assess or review, as
appropriate, the creditworthiness of each potential
or existing counterparty to an over-the-counter
contract.
13 The Long Fund will hold put options, and the
Short Fund will hold call options, with respect to
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III. Discussion and Commission
Findings
After careful review, the Commission
finds that the proposed rule change, as
modified by Amendment No. 3, is
consistent with the Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder applicable to
a national securities exchange.14 In
particular, the Commission finds that
the proposed rule change, as modified
by Amendment No. 3, is consistent with
Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,15 which
requires, among other things, that the
Exchange’s rules 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.
The Commission also finds that the
proposal to list and trade the Shares on
the Exchange is consistent with Section
11A(a)(1)(C)(iii) of the Act,16 which sets
forth Congress’s finding that it is in the
public interest and appropriate for the
protection of investors and the
maintenance of fair and orderly markets
to assure the availability to brokers,
dealers, and investors of information
with respect to quotations for, and
transactions in, securities.
Quotation and last-sale information
for the Shares will be disseminated
through the facilities of the
Consolidated Tape Association
(‘‘CTA’’). The indicative fund value
(‘‘IFV’’) will be disseminated every 15
seconds during the Exchange’s Core
Trading Session.17 The Exchange will
make available on its Web site daily
trading volume, closing prices, and the
NAV of the Shares.18 The Exchange will
also disseminate on a daily basis via the
CTA information with respect to the
NAV and Shares outstanding. Intraday
and closing price information from
brokers and dealers or independent
pricing services, among other sources,
will be available for S&P Interests, Stop
Options, and Cash Equivalents. The
Benchmark will be disseminated by one
or more major market data vendors
every 15 seconds during the NYSE Arca
Core Trading Session.
On a daily basis, the Sponsor will
disclose on the Funds’ Web site the
following information regarding each
portfolio holding, as applicable to the
type of holding: Ticker symbol, CUSIP
number or other identifier, if any; a
description of the holding (including
the type of holding, such as the type of
swap); the identity of the security, index
or other asset or instrument underlying
the holding, if any; for options, the
option strike price; quantity held (as
measured by, for example, par value,
notional value or number of shares,
contracts or units); maturity date, if any;
market value of the holding; and the
percentage weighting of the holding in
a Fund’s portfolio.19 The Funds’ Web
site will also include the prospectus,
data relating to the NAV, and other
applicable quantitative information for
each Fund.
The Commission also believes that the
proposal to list and trade the Shares is
reasonably designed to promote fair
disclosure of information that may be
necessary to price the Shares
appropriately and to prevent trading
when a reasonable degree of
transparency cannot be assured. If the
Exchange becomes aware that the NAV
with respect to the Shares is not
disseminated to all market participants
at the same time, it will halt trading in
all or substantially all of its S&P Interests with
strike prices at approximately 75%, in the case of
the Long Fund, or 125%, in the case of the Short
Fund, of the value of the applicable underlying S&P
Interest as of the end of the preceding business day.
These Stop Options will serve primarily to (a)
prevent the Fund’s NAV from going to zero in the
event of a 25% adverse move in the Benchmark,
and (b) recoup a small portion of substantial losses
of a Fund that may result from large movements in
the Benchmark.
14 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).
15 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
16 15 U.S.C. 78k–1(a)(1)(C)(iii).
17 The Exchange will disseminate the IFV through
the facilities of the CTA high speed line. In
addition, the IFV will be published on the
Exchange’s Web site and will be available through
on-line information services.
18 Each Fund’s NAV will be calculated as of the
earlier of 4:00 p.m. E.T. or the close of the Exchange
each day. The NAV for a particular trading day will
be released after 4:15 p.m. E.T. The NAV for the
Funds will be disseminated daily to all market
participants at the same time.
19 The disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio
composition on the Funds’ Web site will occur at
the same time as the disclosure by the Sponsor of
the portfolio composition to Authorized Purchasers
so that all market participants are provided
portfolio composition information at the same time.
Options are expected to average less
than approximately 5% of each Fund’s
portfolio.
On a day-to-day basis, each Fund will
invest the remainder of its assets in
money market funds, depository
accounts with institutions with high
quality credit ratings, or short-term debt
instruments that have terms-to-maturity
of less than 397 days and exhibit high
quality credit profiles, including U.S.
government securities and repurchase
agreements (collectively, ‘‘Cash
Equivalents’’). Cash Equivalents are
expected to comprise approximately 70–
85% of each Fund’s portfolio.
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the Shares until such time as the NAV
is available to all market participants.
Trading in the Shares will also be
subject to NYSE Arca Equities Rule
7.12, which sets forth circumstances
under which trading in the Shares may
be halted. In addition, trading may be
halted because of market conditions or
for reasons that, in the view of the
Exchange, make trading in the Shares
inadvisable.20 Moreover, the Exchange
may halt trading during the day in
which an interruption to the
dissemination of the IFV or the value of
the underlying futures contracts occurs.
If the interruption to the dissemination
of the IFV or the value of the underlying
futures contracts persists past the
trading day in which it occurred, the
Exchange will halt trading no later than
the beginning of the trading day
following the interruption. The
Exchange represents that it has a general
policy prohibiting the distribution of
material, non-public information by its
employees.
The Exchange represents that it deems
the Shares to be equity securities, thus
rendering trading in the Shares subject
to the Exchange’s existing rules
governing the trading of equity
securities. In support of this proposal,
the Exchange has made the following
representations:
(1) The Funds will meet the initial
and continued listing requirements
applicable to Trust Issued Receipts in
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.200 and
Commentary .02 thereto.
(2) The Exchange has appropriate
rules to facilitate transactions in the
Shares during all trading sessions.
(3) Trading in the Shares will be
subject to the existing trading
surveillances administered by the
Exchange, as well as cross-market
surveillances administered by the
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
(‘‘FINRA’’) on behalf of the Exchange,
and these procedures are adequate to
properly monitor Exchange trading of
the Shares in all trading sessions and to
deter and detect violations of Exchange
rules and applicable federal securities
laws.21
(4) The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf
of the Exchange, or both, will
communicate as needed regarding
trading in the Shares, Primary S&P
20 These may include: (1) The extent to which
trading is not occurring in the underlying futures
contracts; or (2) whether other unusual conditions
or circumstances detrimental to the maintenance of
a fair and orderly market are present.
21 The Exchange states that FINRA conducts
cross-market surveillances on behalf of the
Exchange pursuant to a regulatory services
agreement, and that the Exchange is responsible for
FINRA’s performance under this regulatory services
agreement.
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Interests, and options on futures with
other markets or other entities that are
members of the Intermarket
Surveillance Group (‘‘ISG’’), and the
Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the
Exchange, or both, may obtain trading
information regarding trading in such
securities and financial instruments
from such markets or entities. In
addition, the Exchange may obtain
information regarding trading in such
securities and financial instruments
from markets or other entities that are
members of ISG or with which the
Exchange has in place a comprehensive
surveillance sharing agreement
(‘‘CSSA’’).
(5) Not more than 10% of the net
assets of a Fund in the aggregate
invested in futures contracts or
exchange-traded options contracts shall
consist of futures contracts or exchangetraded options contracts whose
principal market is not a member of ISG
or is a market with which the Exchange
does not have a CSSA.
(6) Prior to the commencement of
trading, the Exchange will inform its
ETP Holders in an Information Bulletin
of the special characteristics and risks
associated with trading the Shares.
Specifically, the Information Bulletin
will discuss the following: (a) The risks
involved in trading the Shares during
the Opening and Late Trading Sessions
when an updated IFV will not be
calculated or publicly disseminated; (b)
the procedures for purchases and
redemptions of Shares in Creation
Baskets and Redemption Baskets (and
that Shares are not individually
redeemable); (c) NYSE Arca Equities
Rule 9.2(a), which imposes a duty of
due diligence on its ETP Holders to
learn the essential facts relating to every
customer prior to trading the Shares; (d)
how information regarding the IFV and
the portfolio is disseminated; (e)
applicable prospectus delivery
requirements; and (f) trading
information.
(7) Prior to the commencement of
trading, the Exchange will inform its
ETP Holders of the suitability
requirements of NYSE Arca Equities
Rule 9.2(a) in an Information Bulletin.
Specifically, ETP Holders will be
reminded in the Information Bulletin
that, in recommending transactions in
the Shares, they must have a reasonable
basis to believe that (a) the
recommendation is suitable for a
customer given reasonable inquiry
concerning the customer’s investment
objectives, financial situation, needs,
and any other information known by
such ETP Holder, and (b) the customer
can evaluate the special characteristics,
and is able to bear the financial risks, of
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21445
an investment in the Shares. In
connection with the suitability
obligation, the Information Bulletin will
also provide that ETP Holders must
make reasonable efforts to obtain the
following information: (a) The
customer’s financial status; (b) the
customer’s tax status; (c) the customer’s
investment objectives; and (d) such
other information used or considered to
be reasonable by such ETP Holder or
registered representative in making
recommendations to the customer.
(8) A minimum of 100,000 Shares for
each Fund will be outstanding at the
start of trading on the Exchange.
The Exchange represents that all
statements and representations made in
the filing regarding (a) the description of
the portfolios; (b) limitations on
portfolio holdings or reference assets; or
(c) the applicability of Exchange listing
rules specified in the rule filing
constitute continued listing
requirements for listing the Shares on
the Exchange. In addition, the issuer has
represented to the Exchange that it will
advise the Exchange of any failure by a
Fund to comply with the continued
listing requirements and, pursuant to its
obligations under Section 19(g)(1) of the
Act, the Exchange will monitor 22 for
compliance with the continued listing
requirements. If a Fund is not in
compliance with the applicable listing
requirements, the Exchange will
commence delisting procedures under
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.5(m).
This approval order is based on all of
the Exchange’s statements and
representations, including those set
forth above and in Amendment No. 3.
For the foregoing reasons, the
Commission finds that the proposed
rule change, as modified by Amendment
No. 3, is consistent with Section 6(b)(5)
of the Act 23 and Section
11A(a)(1)(C)(iii) of the Act 24 and the
rules and regulations thereunder
applicable to a national securities
exchange.
22 The Commission notes that certain proposals
for the listing and trading of exchange-traded
products include a representation that the exchange
will ‘‘surveil’’ for compliance with the continued
listing requirements. See, e.g., Securities Exchange
Act Release No. 77499 (April 1, 2016), 81 FR 20428,
20432 (April 7, 2016) (SR–BATS–2016–04). In the
context of this representation, it is the
Commission’s view that ‘‘monitor’’ and ‘‘surveil’’
both mean ongoing oversight of compliance with
the continued listing requirements. Therefore, the
Commission does not view ‘‘monitor’’ as a more or
less stringent obligation than ‘‘surveil’’ with respect
to the continued listing requirements.
23 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
24 15 U.S.C. 78k–1(a)(1)(C)(iii).
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IV. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,25 that the
proposed rule change (SR–NYSEArca–
2016–120), as modified by Amendment
No. 3, be, and it hereby is, approved.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.26
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017–09196 Filed 5–5–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–80577; File No. SR–
NYSEMKT–2017–04]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
MKT LLC; Order Granting Accelerated
Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as
Modified by Amendment No. 1,
Relating to Market Makers Applicable
When the Exchange Transitions
Trading to Pillar, the Exchange’s New
Trading Technology Platform
May 2, 2017.
I. Introduction
On January 25, 2017, NYSE MKT LLC
(‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE MKT’’) 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 rules relating to market
makers that would be applicable when
the Exchange transitions trading to
Pillar, the Exchange’s new trading
technology platform. The proposed rule
change was published for comment in
the Federal Register on February 13,
2017.3 On March 29, 2017, the
Commission designated a longer period
for action on the proposed rule change.4
On March 30, 2017, the Exchange filed
Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule
change.5 The Commission received no
25 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
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. 79982
(Feb. 7, 2017), 82 FR 10508 (Feb. 13, 2017)
(‘‘Notice’’).
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80336
(Mar. 29, 2017), 82 FR 16447 (Apr. 4, 2017).
5 In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange: (1)
Specified that proposed Exchange Rule 7.25E titled
‘‘DMM Security Allocation and Reallocation’’ is
also based on New York Stock Exchange LLC
(‘‘NYSE’’) Rule 103B; (2) modified proposed
Exchange Rule 7.25E(b)(1), to read ‘‘Issuer Section
[sic] of DMM Unit by Interview;’’ (3) modified
proposed Exchange Rule 7.25E(b)(1)(B)(ii) by (a)
adding the qualifier ‘‘eligible’’ to ‘‘DMMs’’ in the
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26 17
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comments on the proposal, as modified
by Amendment No. 1. The Commission
is approving the proposed rule change,
as modified by Amendment No. 1, on an
accelerated basis.
II. Description of the Proposed Rule
Change, as Modified by Amendment
No. 1
The Exchange proposes to adopt new
rules relating to market makers that
would be applicable when the Exchange
transitions trading to Pillar, a new
trading technology platform. As part of
this transition, the Exchange would
move from the current floor-based
market with a parity allocation model to
a fully automated market with a pricetime-priority allocation model. The
Exchange’s floor-based traders, such as
designated market makers (‘‘DMMs’’)
and floor brokers, would not be retained
in Pillar. Electronic DMMs would
replace floor-based DMMs.
The proposed rules would not assign
securities to DMMs at the naturalperson level and would not require
DMMs to facilitate the opening,
reopening, or closing of assigned
Exchange-listed securities. In addition,
the proposed rules would not entitle
DMMs to a parity allocation of
executions, and also would not subject
DMMs to heightened capital
requirements. Finally, DMMs would
continue to be subject to rules governing
allocation of securities and combination
of DMM units. The Exchange would
first sentence, (b) adding the clause ‘‘or a designee
of such senior official’’ at the end of the second
sentence, (c) modifying the fourth sentence to
‘‘Representatives of each DMM must participate in
the meeting,’’ and (d) adding a final sentence stating
that ‘‘Meetings will normally be held at the
Exchange, unless the Exchange has agreed that they
may be held elsewhere;’’ (4) modified proposed
Exchange Rule 7.25(b)(2) by (a) changing the title
to ‘‘Exchange Selection of DMM by Delegation,’’ (b)
deleting from the first sentence of paragraph (A) the
phrase ‘‘based on a review of all information
available to the issuer,’’ and (c) modifying
paragraph (B) to state that ‘‘The ESP will select the
DMM and inform the issuer of its selection’’; (5)
modified proposed Exchange Rule 7.25E(b)(11) to
state that ‘‘If the issuer of an initial Fund lists
additional funds within nine months from the date
of its initial listing, the issuer may choose to
maintain the same DMM for those subsequently
listed funds or it may select a different DMM from
the group of eligible DMMs that the issuer
interviewed or reviewed in the allocation process
for its initial fund’’; (6) modified proposed
Exchange Rule 7.25E(d)(1) to state ‘‘loses its
registration as a DMM in a security as a result of
proceedings under the Rule 8000 or 9000 Series, as
applicable; or’’; and (7) changed proposed Exchange
Rule 7.25E(e) to make listing-company DMM
allocation decisions for purposes of an initial public
offering sunset after 18 months, made a conforming
change to the filing, and stated that this proposed
rule is based on current Exchange Rule
103B(VI)(H)—Equities and NYSE Rule 103B(VI)(H).
Amendment No. 1 is available at: https://
www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysemkt-2017-04/
nysemkt201704-1680445-149392.pdf.
PO 00000
Frm 00083
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
also no longer provide for members to
act as Supplemental Liquidity
Providers.
The Exchange represents that the
proposal is based on the rules of NYSE
Arca Equities, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca
Equities’’), which has already
implemented Pillar, the same trading
technology platform as the Exchange
proposes to adopt.6
The proposal would set forth new
definitions for Market Makers, Market
Maker Authorized Traders, and
Designated Market Makers. In addition,
the proposal would set forth the process
for registration and obligations of
Market Makers, the obligations of
Market Maker Authorized Traders, the
registration of non-DMM Market
Makers, the registration and obligations
of DMMs, DMM security allocation and
reallocation, and DMM combination
review policy.7
The Exchange represents that it will
announce the transition to Pillar, if
approved by the Commission, by Trader
Update. The Exchange anticipates that
the transition would occur in the second
quarter of 2017. After the transition to
Pillar, current Exchange equities rules
governing the floor-based platform
would no longer be applicable. For each
current equities rule that would not be
applicable when trading on the Pillar
platform begins, the Exchange proposes
to add a preamble stating that ‘‘this rule
is not applicable to trading on the Pillar
trading platform.’’ The Exchange
represents that, after it has transitioned
to the Pillar trading platform, it will file
a separate proposed rule change to
delete the obsolete rules. Current
Exchange rules governing equities
trading that do not have the preamble
described above will continue to govern
6 NYSE Arca filed four proposals to implement its
transition to Pillar in stages: (1) Adopting rules for
trading sessions, order ranking and display, and
order execution; (2) adopting rules for orders and
modifiers and the retail liquidity program; (3)
adopting rules for trading halts, short sales, limit
up-limit down, and odd lots and mixed lots; and
(4) adopting rules for auctions. See Securities
Exchange Act Release Nos. 74951 (May 13, 2015),
80 FR 28721 (May 19, 2015) and 75494 (July 20,
2015), 80 FR 44170 (July 24, 2015) (SR–NYSEArca–
2015–38) (first Pillar filing and approval); 75497
(July 21, 2015), 80 FR 45022 (July 28, 2015) and
76267 (Oct. 26, 2015), 80 FR 66951 (Oct. 30, 2015)
(SR–NYSEArca–2015–56) (second Pillar filing and
approval); 75467 (July 16, 2015), 80 FR 43515 (July
22, 2015) and 76198 (Oct. 20, 2015), 80 FR 65274
(Oct. 26, 2015) (third Pillar filing and approval);
and 76085 (Oct. 6, 2015), 80 FR 61513 (Oct. 13,
2015) and 76869 (Jan. 11, 2016), 81 FR 2276 (Jan.
15, 2016) (fourth Pillar filing and approval).
7 The Exchange previously adopted these rules,
generally with rule text reserved for future filings,
in anticipation of the current proposal. See
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79242 (Nov. 4,
2016), 81 FR 79081 (Nov. 10, 2016) (SR–
NYSEMKT–2016–97). The rule numbers correspond
with the rule numbers of NYSE Arca Equities rules.
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 87 (Monday, May 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21443-21446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09196]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-80579; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2016-120]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Approving a
Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 3, To List and Trade
Shares of the ForceShares Daily 4X US Market Futures Long Fund and
ForceShares Daily 4X US Market Futures Short Fund Under Commentary .02
to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.200
May 2, 2017.
I. Introduction
On October 17, 2016, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'' 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 list and trade shares (``Shares'') of the
ForceShares Daily 4X US Market Futures Long Fund (``Fund'' or ``Long
Fund'') and ForceShares Daily 4X US Market Futures Short Fund (``Fund''
or ``Short Fund'' and, together with the Long Fund, the ``Funds'')
under Commentary .02 to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.200. The proposed
rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on
November 4, 2016.\3\ On December 14, 2016, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)
of the Act,\4\ the Commission designated a longer period within which
to approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the proposed rule
change, or institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove the
proposed rule change.\5\ On December 22, 2016, the Exchange filed
Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change, which replaced and
superseded the proposed rule change as originally filed. On February 1,
2017, the Commission instituted proceedings to determine whether to
approve or disapprove the proposed rule change.\6\ On February 15,
2017, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 2 to the proposed rule change,
which replaced and superseded the proposed rule change as modified by
Amendment No. 1. On April 20, 2017, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 3
to the proposed rule change, which replaced and superseded the proposed
rule change as modified by Amendment No. 2.\7\ The Commission received
no comments on the proposed rule change. This order approves the
proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 3.
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\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79201 (October 31,
2016), 81 FR 76977.
\4\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79550, 81 FR 92892
(December 20, 2016). The Commission designated February 2, 2017 as
the date by which it shall approve the proposed rule change,
disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to
determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule change.
\6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79914, 82 FR 9625
(February 7, 2017).
\7\ In Amendment No. 3, the Exchange: (1) Clarified the
permissible investments of the Funds; (2) clarified the prices that
will be used to calculate the net asset value (``NAV'') for each
Fund; (3) stated that the indicative fund value (``IFV'') will be
calculated and disseminated throughout the Exchange Core Trading
Session; (4) amended and clarified the description of the creation
and redemption process for the Shares; (5) added a discussion
regarding the impact on the arbitrage mechanism as a result of the
use of derivatives; (6) amended and supplemented the description of
the information that will be provided to ETP Holders through the
Information Bulletin; (7) provided information regarding the
obligations of ETP Holders to follow FINRA guidance relating to
increased sales practice and customer margin requirements applicable
to inverse, leveraged, and inverse leveraged securities; and (8)
made various technical changes. Amendment No. 3 is not subject to
notice and comment because it does not materially alter the
substance of the proposed rule change or raise unique or novel
regulatory issues. All of the amendments to the proposed rule change
are available at: https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2016-120/nysearca2016120.shtml.
II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment
No. 3 \8\
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\8\ The Commission notes that additional information regarding
the Trust (defined below), the Funds, their investments, and the
Shares, including investment strategies, risks, creation and
redemption procedures, fees, portfolio holdings disclosure policies,
and taxes, among other information, can be found in Amendment No. 3,
supra note 7, and the Registration Statement, infra note 9.
The Exchange proposes to list and trade the Shares under Commentary
.02 to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.200, which governs the listing and
trading of Trust Issued Receipts on the Exchange. Each Fund is a
commodity pool that is a series of the ForceShares Trust
(``Trust'').\9\ ForceShares LLC will be the sponsor of the Funds
(``Sponsor''). ALPS Distributors, Inc. will be the marketing agent for
the Shares. U.S. Bank National Association will be the Funds' custodian
(``Custodian''). The Custodian will also be the registrar and transfer
agent for the Shares.
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\9\ The Trust is registered under the Securities Act of 1933. On
September 30, 2016, the Trust filed with the Commission a
registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act of 1933
relating to the Funds (File No. 333-213911) (``Registration
Statement'').
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The Long Fund's primary investment objective is to seek daily
investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to
approximately four times (400%) the daily performance of the
[[Page 21444]]
closing settlement price for lead month (i.e., the ``near month'' or
next-to-expire) Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Price Index Futures
contracts (``Big S&P Contracts'') that are traded on the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange (``CME''). This closing settlement price is
referred to as the ``Benchmark.''\10\ The Short Fund's primary
investment objective is to seek daily investment results, before fees
and expenses, that correspond to approximately four times the inverse
(-400%) of the daily performance of the Benchmark. Each Fund will not
seek to achieve its primary investment objective over a period of time
greater than a single day.\11\
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\10\ The design of the Funds' Benchmark is such that it will
change four times per year in connection with the expiration of the
lead month Big S&P Contracts, and each Fund's positions in S&P
Interests (defined below) will be rolled on a regular basis in order
to track the changing nature of the Benchmark.
\11\ The Exchange states that the return of each Fund for
periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day's
returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ
from four times the total performance, in the case of the Long Fund,
or four times the inverse of the total performance, in the case of
the Short Fund, of the Benchmark over the same period.
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Under normal market conditions, each Fund will seek to achieve its
primary investment objective primarily by investing in Big S&P
Contracts. Each Fund will also invest in E-Mini S&P 500 Futures
contracts (``E-Minis'' and, together with Big S&P Contracts, ``Primary
S&P Interests'') to seek to achieve its primary investment objective
where position limits prevent further purchases of Big S&P Contracts.
Each Fund expects to apply approximately 10-25% of its portfolio toward
obtaining exposure to futures contracts, all of which will be lead
month or deferred month Primary S&P Interests. Subsequently, each Fund
may also invest in swap agreements (cleared and over-the-counter)
referencing Primary S&P Interests or the S&P 500 Index, and over-the-
counter forward contracts referencing Primary S&P Interests (``Other
S&P Interests'' and, together with Primary S&P Interests, ``S&P
Interests'').\12\ Each Fund may invest in Other S&P Interests in an
amount up to 25% of its net assets.
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\12\ The Sponsor will assess or review, as appropriate, the
creditworthiness of each potential or existing counterparty to an
over-the-counter contract.
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Each Fund may acquire or dispose of Stop Options, which will be
options on Primary S&P Interests, in pursuing its secondary investment
objective of recouping a small amount of a Fund's losses from an
extreme, short term movement in the Benchmark.\13\ Stop Options are
expected to average less than approximately 5% of each Fund's
portfolio.
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\13\ The Long Fund will hold put options, and the Short Fund
will hold call options, with respect to all or substantially all of
its S&P Interests with strike prices at approximately 75%, in the
case of the Long Fund, or 125%, in the case of the Short Fund, of
the value of the applicable underlying S&P Interest as of the end of
the preceding business day. These Stop Options will serve primarily
to (a) prevent the Fund's NAV from going to zero in the event of a
25% adverse move in the Benchmark, and (b) recoup a small portion of
substantial losses of a Fund that may result from large movements in
the Benchmark.
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On a day-to-day basis, each Fund will invest the remainder of its
assets in money market funds, depository accounts with institutions
with high quality credit ratings, or short-term debt instruments that
have terms-to-maturity of less than 397 days and exhibit high quality
credit profiles, including U.S. government securities and repurchase
agreements (collectively, ``Cash Equivalents''). Cash Equivalents are
expected to comprise approximately 70-85% of each Fund's portfolio.
III. Discussion and Commission Findings
After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule
change, as modified by Amendment No. 3, is consistent with the Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national
securities exchange.\14\ In particular, the Commission finds that the
proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 3, is consistent
with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\15\ which requires, among other
things, that the Exchange's rules 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.
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\14\ 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).
\15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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The Commission also finds that the proposal to list and trade the
Shares on the Exchange is consistent with Section 11A(a)(1)(C)(iii) of
the Act,\16\ which sets forth Congress's finding that it is in the
public interest and appropriate for the protection of investors and the
maintenance of fair and orderly markets to assure the availability to
brokers, dealers, and investors of information with respect to
quotations for, and transactions in, securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ 15 U.S.C. 78k-1(a)(1)(C)(iii).
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Quotation and last-sale information for the Shares will be
disseminated through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape
Association (``CTA''). The indicative fund value (``IFV'') will be
disseminated every 15 seconds during the Exchange's Core Trading
Session.\17\ The Exchange will make available on its Web site daily
trading volume, closing prices, and the NAV of the Shares.\18\ The
Exchange will also disseminate on a daily basis via the CTA information
with respect to the NAV and Shares outstanding. Intraday and closing
price information from brokers and dealers or independent pricing
services, among other sources, will be available for S&P Interests,
Stop Options, and Cash Equivalents. The Benchmark will be disseminated
by one or more major market data vendors every 15 seconds during the
NYSE Arca Core Trading Session.
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\17\ The Exchange will disseminate the IFV through the
facilities of the CTA high speed line. In addition, the IFV will be
published on the Exchange's Web site and will be available through
on-line information services.
\18\ Each Fund's NAV will be calculated as of the earlier of
4:00 p.m. E.T. or the close of the Exchange each day. The NAV for a
particular trading day will be released after 4:15 p.m. E.T. The NAV
for the Funds will be disseminated daily to all market participants
at the same time.
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On a daily basis, the Sponsor will disclose on the Funds' Web site
the following information regarding each portfolio holding, as
applicable to the type of holding: Ticker symbol, CUSIP number or other
identifier, if any; a description of the holding (including the type of
holding, such as the type of swap); the identity of the security, index
or other asset or instrument underlying the holding, if any; for
options, the option strike price; quantity held (as measured by, for
example, par value, notional value or number of shares, contracts or
units); maturity date, if any; market value of the holding; and the
percentage weighting of the holding in a Fund's portfolio.\19\ The
Funds' Web site will also include the prospectus, data relating to the
NAV, and other applicable quantitative information for each Fund.
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\19\ The disclosure of the Funds' portfolio composition on the
Funds' Web site will occur at the same time as the disclosure by the
Sponsor of the portfolio composition to Authorized Purchasers so
that all market participants are provided portfolio composition
information at the same time.
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The Commission also believes that the proposal to list and trade
the Shares is reasonably designed to promote fair disclosure of
information that may be necessary to price the Shares appropriately and
to prevent trading when a reasonable degree of transparency cannot be
assured. If the Exchange becomes aware that the NAV with respect to the
Shares is not disseminated to all market participants at the same time,
it will halt trading in
[[Page 21445]]
the Shares until such time as the NAV is available to all market
participants. Trading in the Shares will also be subject to NYSE Arca
Equities Rule 7.12, which sets forth circumstances under which trading
in the Shares may be halted. In addition, trading may be halted because
of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange,
make trading in the Shares inadvisable.\20\ Moreover, the Exchange may
halt trading during the day in which an interruption to the
dissemination of the IFV or the value of the underlying futures
contracts occurs. If the interruption to the dissemination of the IFV
or the value of the underlying futures contracts persists past the
trading day in which it occurred, the Exchange will halt trading no
later than the beginning of the trading day following the interruption.
The Exchange represents that it has a general policy prohibiting the
distribution of material, non-public information by its employees.
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\20\ These may include: (1) The extent to which trading is not
occurring in the underlying futures contracts; or (2) whether other
unusual conditions or circumstances detrimental to the maintenance
of a fair and orderly market are present.
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The Exchange represents that it deems the Shares to be equity
securities, thus rendering trading in the Shares subject to the
Exchange's existing rules governing the trading of equity securities.
In support of this proposal, the Exchange has made the following
representations:
(1) The Funds will meet the initial and continued listing
requirements applicable to Trust Issued Receipts in NYSE Arca Equities
Rule 8.200 and Commentary .02 thereto.
(2) The Exchange has appropriate rules to facilitate transactions
in the Shares during all trading sessions.
(3) Trading in the Shares will be subject to the existing trading
surveillances administered by the Exchange, as well as cross-market
surveillances administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (``FINRA'') on behalf of the Exchange, and these procedures
are adequate to properly monitor Exchange trading of the Shares in all
trading sessions and to deter and detect violations of Exchange rules
and applicable federal securities laws.\21\
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\21\ The Exchange states that FINRA conducts cross-market
surveillances on behalf of the Exchange pursuant to a regulatory
services agreement, and that the Exchange is responsible for FINRA's
performance under this regulatory services agreement.
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(4) The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, or both, will
communicate as needed regarding trading in the Shares, Primary S&P
Interests, and options on futures with other markets or other entities
that are members of the Intermarket Surveillance Group (``ISG''), and
the Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, or both, may obtain
trading information regarding trading in such securities and financial
instruments from such markets or entities. In addition, the Exchange
may obtain information regarding trading in such securities and
financial instruments from markets or other entities that are members
of ISG or with which the Exchange has in place a comprehensive
surveillance sharing agreement (``CSSA'').
(5) Not more than 10% of the net assets of a Fund in the aggregate
invested in futures contracts or exchange-traded options contracts
shall consist of futures contracts or exchange-traded options contracts
whose principal market is not a member of ISG or is a market with which
the Exchange does not have a CSSA.
(6) Prior to the commencement of trading, the Exchange will inform
its ETP Holders in an Information Bulletin of the special
characteristics and risks associated with trading the Shares.
Specifically, the Information Bulletin will discuss the following: (a)
The risks involved in trading the Shares during the Opening and Late
Trading Sessions when an updated IFV will not be calculated or publicly
disseminated; (b) the procedures for purchases and redemptions of
Shares in Creation Baskets and Redemption Baskets (and that Shares are
not individually redeemable); (c) NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.2(a), which
imposes a duty of due diligence on its ETP Holders to learn the
essential facts relating to every customer prior to trading the Shares;
(d) how information regarding the IFV and the portfolio is
disseminated; (e) applicable prospectus delivery requirements; and (f)
trading information.
(7) Prior to the commencement of trading, the Exchange will inform
its ETP Holders of the suitability requirements of NYSE Arca Equities
Rule 9.2(a) in an Information Bulletin. Specifically, ETP Holders will
be reminded in the Information Bulletin that, in recommending
transactions in the Shares, they must have a reasonable basis to
believe that (a) the recommendation is suitable for a customer given
reasonable inquiry concerning the customer's investment objectives,
financial situation, needs, and any other information known by such ETP
Holder, and (b) the customer can evaluate the special characteristics,
and is able to bear the financial risks, of an investment in the
Shares. In connection with the suitability obligation, the Information
Bulletin will also provide that ETP Holders must make reasonable
efforts to obtain the following information: (a) The customer's
financial status; (b) the customer's tax status; (c) the customer's
investment objectives; and (d) such other information used or
considered to be reasonable by such ETP Holder or registered
representative in making recommendations to the customer.
(8) A minimum of 100,000 Shares for each Fund will be outstanding
at the start of trading on the Exchange.
The Exchange represents that all statements and representations
made in the filing regarding (a) the description of the portfolios; (b)
limitations on portfolio holdings or reference assets; or (c) the
applicability of Exchange listing rules specified in the rule filing
constitute continued listing requirements for listing the Shares on the
Exchange. In addition, the issuer has represented to the Exchange that
it will advise the Exchange of any failure by a Fund to comply with the
continued listing requirements and, pursuant to its obligations under
Section 19(g)(1) of the Act, the Exchange will monitor \22\ for
compliance with the continued listing requirements. If a Fund is not in
compliance with the applicable listing requirements, the Exchange will
commence delisting procedures under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.5(m).
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\22\ The Commission notes that certain proposals for the listing
and trading of exchange-traded products include a representation
that the exchange will ``surveil'' for compliance with the continued
listing requirements. See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No.
77499 (April 1, 2016), 81 FR 20428, 20432 (April 7, 2016) (SR-BATS-
2016-04). In the context of this representation, it is the
Commission's view that ``monitor'' and ``surveil'' both mean ongoing
oversight of compliance with the continued listing requirements.
Therefore, the Commission does not view ``monitor'' as a more or
less stringent obligation than ``surveil'' with respect to the
continued listing requirements.
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This approval order is based on all of the Exchange's statements
and representations, including those set forth above and in Amendment
No. 3.
For the foregoing reasons, the Commission finds that the proposed
rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 3, is consistent with Section
6(b)(5) of the Act \23\ and Section 11A(a)(1)(C)(iii) of the Act \24\
and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national
securities exchange.
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\23\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
\24\ 15 U.S.C. 78k-1(a)(1)(C)(iii).
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[[Page 21446]]
IV. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
Act,\25\ that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSEArca-2016-120), as
modified by Amendment No. 3, be, and it hereby is, approved.
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\25\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\26\
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\26\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-09196 Filed 5-5-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P