Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 3317 To Modify the Date of Appendix B Web Site Data Publication, 22690-22692 [2017-09930]

Download as PDF 22690 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 94 / Wednesday, May 17, 2017 / Notices by 5:30 p.m. on June 5, 2017 and should be accompanied by proof of service on the applicants, in the form of an affidavit, or, for lawyers, a certificate of service. Pursuant to rule 0–5 under the Act, hearing requests should state the nature of the writer’s interest, any facts bearing upon the desirability of a hearing on the matter, the reason for the request, and the issues contested. Persons who wish to be notified of a hearing may request notification by writing to the Commission’s Secretary. ADDRESSES: Secretary, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. Applicants: Benjamin D. Schmidt, Aspiriant, LLC, 1111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 1700, Milwaukee, WI 53202. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kieran G. Brown, Senior Counsel, at (202) 551–6773, or David Marcinkus, Branch Chief, at (202) 551–6821 (Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel’s Office). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a summary of the application. The complete application may be obtained via the Commission’s Web site by searching for the file number, or for an applicant using the Company name box, at https:// www.sec.gov/search/search.htm, or by calling (202) 551–8090. Summary of the Application 1. Applicants request an order to permit (a) each Fund 1 (each a ‘‘Fund of Funds’’) to acquire shares of Underlying Funds 2 in excess of the limits in sections 12(d)(1)(A) and (C) of the Act and (b) each Underlying Fund, any principal underwriter for the nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with NOTICES 1 Applicants request that the order apply to each existing and future series of Aspiriant Trust and to each existing and future registered open-end investment company or series thereof that is advised by Aspiriant, LLC or its successor or by any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with Aspiriant, LLC or its successor and is part of the same ‘‘group of investment companies’’ as Aspiriant Trust (each, a ‘‘Fund’’). Applicants further request that the order also apply to any future principal underwriter and distributor for a Fund. For purposes of the requested order, ‘‘successor’’ is limited to an entity that results from a reorganization into another jurisdiction or a change in the type of business organization. For purposes of the request for relief, the term ‘‘group of investment companies’’ means any two or more registered investment companies, including closedend investment companies, and business development companies, that hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services. 2 Certain of the Underlying Funds have obtained exemptions from the Commission necessary to permit their shares to be listed and traded on a national securities exchange at negotiated prices and, accordingly, to operate as an exchange-traded fund (‘‘ETF’’). VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:18 May 16, 2017 Jkt 241001 Underlying Fund, and any broker or dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to sell shares of the Underlying Fund to a Fund of Funds, in excess of the limits in section 12(d)(1)(B) of the Act.3 Applicants also request an order of exemption under sections 6(c) and 17(b) of the Act from the prohibition on certain affiliated transactions in section 17(a) of the Act to the extent necessary to permit the Underlying Funds to sell their shares to, and redeem their shares from, the Funds of Funds.4 Applicants state that such transactions will be consistent with the policies of each Fund of Funds and each Underlying Fund and with the general purposes of the Act and will be based on the net asset values of the Underlying Funds. 2. Applicants further request an exemption under section 6(c) from rule 12d1–2 under the Act to permit any Fund that relies on section 12(d)(1)(G) of the Act (‘‘Section 12(d)(1)(G) Fund’’) and that otherwise complies with rule 12d1–2 under the Act, to also invest, to the extent consistent with its investment objective, policies, strategies and limitations, in financial instruments that may not be securities within the meaning of section 2(a)(36) of the Act (‘‘Other Investments’’). 3. Applicants agree that any order granting the requested relief will be subject to the terms and conditions stated in the application. Such terms and conditions are designed to, among other things, help prevent any potential (i) undue influence over an Underlying Fund that is not in the same ‘‘group of investment companies’’ as the Fund of Funds through control or voting power, or in connection with certain services, transactions, and underwritings, (ii) excessive layering of fees, and (iii) overly complex fund structures, which are the concerns underlying the limits in sections 12(d)(1)(A), (B), and (C) of 3 Applicants are not requesting relief for a Fund of Funds to invest in business development companies and registered closed-end investment companies that are not listed on a national securities exchange. 4 Applicants note that a Fund of Funds generally would purchase and sell shares of an Underlying Fund that operates as an ETF, closed-end fund, or business development company through secondary market transactions rather than through principal transactions with the Underlying Fund. Applicants nevertheless request relief from sections 17(a)(1) and (2) to permit each Fund of Funds that is an affiliated person, or an affiliated person of an affiliated person, as defined in section 2(a)(3) of the Act, of an ETF, closed-end fund, or business development company to purchase or redeem shares from the ETF or to acquire shares from the closed-end fund or business development company in connection with an underwritten initial or follow-on offering made by such closed-end fund or business development company as described in the application. PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the Act. Applicants assert that permitting a Section 12(d)(1)(G) Fund to invest in Other Investments as described in the application would not raise any of the concerns that section 12(d)(1) of the Act was intended to address. 3. Section 12(d)(1)(J) of the Act provides that the Commission may exempt any person, security, or transaction, or any class or classes of persons, securities, or transactions, from any provision of section 12(d)(1) if the exemption is consistent with the public interest and the protection of investors. Section 17(b) of the Act authorizes the Commission to grant an order permitting a transaction otherwise prohibited by section 17(a) if it finds that (a) the terms of the proposed transaction are fair and reasonable and do not involve overreaching on the part of any person concerned; (b) the proposed transaction is consistent with the policies of each registered investment company involved; and (c) the proposed transaction is consistent with the general purposes of the Act. Section 6(c) of the Act permits the Commission to exempt any persons or transactions from any provision of the Act if such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the Act. For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, pursuant to delegated authority. Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–09934 Filed 5–16–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–80660; File No. SR–Phlx– 2017–33] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 3317 To Modify the Date of Appendix B Web Site Data Publication May 11, 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 April 28, 2017, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule 1 15 2 17 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 94 / Wednesday, May 17, 2017 / Notices 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 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://nasdaqphlx.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 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 nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with NOTICES Rule 3317(b) (Compliance with Data Collection Requirements) 3 implements the data collection and Web site publication requirements of the Plan.4 Commentary .08 to Rule 3317 provides, among other things, that the requirement that the Exchange provide information to the SEC within 30 days following month end pursuant to Appendix B and C of the Plan shall commence at the beginning of the Pilot 3 See Rule 3317(b). See also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77458 (March 28, 2016), 81 FR 18919 (April 1, 2016) (SR–Phlx–2016–39). 4 The Participants filed the Plan to comply with an order issued by the Commission on June 24, 2014. See Letter from Brendon J. Weiss, Vice President, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., to Secretary, Commission, dated August 25, 2014 (‘‘SRO Tick Size Plan Proposal’’). See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72460 (June 24, 2014), 79 FR 36840 (June 30, 2014); see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74892 (May 6, 2015), 80 FR 27513 (May 13, 2015). VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:18 May 16, 2017 Jkt 241001 Period.5 Commentary .08 to Rule 3317 also provides that, with respect to data for the Pre-Pilot and Pilot Period, the requirement that the Exchange or DEA make Appendix B data publicly available on the Exchange’s or DEA’s Web site shall commence on April 28, 2017.6 The Exchange is now proposing to amend Commentary .08 to Rule 3317 to delay the date by which Pre-Pilot and Pilot Appendix B data is to be made publicly available on the Exchange’s Web site from April 28, 2017 to August 31, 2017.7 In the SRO Tick Size Plan Proposal, the Participants stated that the public data will be made available for free ‘‘on a disaggregated basis by trading center’’ on the Web sites of the Participants and the Designated Examining Authorities.8 However, market participants have expressed confidentiality concerns regarding this approach for over-thecounter (‘‘OTC’’) data.9 Thus, Phlx is filing the instant proposed rule change to provide additional time to assess a means of addressing the confidentiality concerns raised in connection with the publication of Appendix B data related to OTC activity in furtherance of the 5 Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms have the meaning ascribed to them in Rule 3317. 6 On November 30, 2016, the SEC granted exemptive relief to the Participants to, among other things, delay the publication of Web site data pursuant to Appendices B and C to the Plan until February 28, 2017, and to delay the ongoing Web site publication by ninety days such that data would be published within 120 calendar days following the end of the month. See Letter from David S. Shillman, Associate Director, Division of Trading and Markets, Commission, to Marcia E. Asquith, Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary, FINRA, dated November 30, 2016; see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79545 (December 14, 2016), 81 FR 92916 (December 20, 2016) (SR–Phlx–2016–118). The SEC subsequently extended this exemptive relief to April 28, 2017. See Letter from David S. Shillman, Associate Director, Division of Trading and Markets, Commission, to Robert L.D. Colby, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, FINRA, dated February 28, 2017. 7 Commentary .08 to Rule 3317 initially required that the Exchange make Pre-Pilot and Pilot Appendix B data publicly available by February 28, 2017. Phlx filed a proposed rule change to extend this date to April 28, 2017. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80226 (March 13, 2017), 82 FR 14238 (March 17, 2017) (SR–Phlx–2017–22). 8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73511 (November 3, 2014), 79 FR 66423 (November 7, 2014) (Notice of Filing of Proposed National Market System Plan to Implement a Tick Size Pilot Program on a One-Year Pilot Basis, File No. 4–657) (‘‘Tick Size Plan Proposal’’). 9 See letters from Adam C. Cooper, Senior Managing Director and Chief Legal Officer, Citadel Securities, to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated December 21, 2016 (‘‘Citadel letter’’); and William Hebert, Managing Director, Financial Information Forum, to Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary, Commission, dated December 21, 2016 (‘‘FIF letter’’). PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 22691 objectives of the Plan.10 Pursuant to this amendment, Appendix B data publication will be delayed until August 31, 2017. The Participants anticipate filing additional proposed rule changes to address Appendix B data publication. Phlx has filed the proposed rule change for immediate effectiveness. The operative date of the proposed rule change will be the date of filing. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,11 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,12 in particular, in that it is designed 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. Phlx also believes that the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(8) of the Act,13 which requires that Exchange rules not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate. The Plan is designed to allow the Commission, market participants, and the public to study and assess the impact of increment conventions on the liquidity and trading of the common stock of small-capitalization companies. Phlx believes that this proposal is consistent with the Act because it is in furtherance of the objectives of Section VII(A) of the Plan in that it is designed to provide the Exchange with additional time to assess a means of addressing the confidentiality concerns raised in connection with the publication of Appendix B data, to comply with the Plan’s requirements that the data made publicly available will not identify the trading center that generated the data. 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 not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change implements the provisions of the Plan, and all Participants are filing similar proposals to extend the publication date of Appendix B data. 10 In connection with its filing to implement a similar change in its rules, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. is also submitting an exemptive request to the SEC on behalf of all Plan Participants requesting relief from the relevant requirements of the Plan. 11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 13 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8). E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1 22692 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 94 / Wednesday, May 17, 2017 / Notices C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were either solicited or 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 from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 14 and Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) thereunder.15 A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19(b)–4(f)(6) normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change for immediate effectiveness and has requested that the Commission waive the requirement that the proposed rule change not become operative for 30 days after the date of the filing so that it may become operative on the date of filing. The Exchange notes that the proposed rule change is intended to mitigate confidentiality concerns raised in connection with Section VII(A) of the Plan, which provides that the data made publicly available will not identify the Trading Center that generated the data. The Exchange states that the additional time would allow consideration of a methodology to mitigate concerns related to the publication of Appendix B data.16 The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because it will synchronize the timing for publication of Appendix B data for all Participants, which should enhance the consistency and usefulness of the 14 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 16 The Commission recently approved a FINRA proposal to implement an aggregated, anonymous grouped masking methodology for the publication of Appendix B data related to OTC trading activity. See Securities Exchange Release No. 80551, (April 28, 2017), 82 FR 20948 (May 4, 2017). See also Letter from David S. Shillman, Associate Director, Division of Trading and Markets, Commission, to Marcia E. Asquith, Executive Vice President FINRA, dated April 28, 2017. nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with NOTICES 15 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:18 May 16, 2017 Jkt 241001 data.17 Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposed rule change to be operative on the date of filing.18 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– Phlx–2017–33 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–Phlx–2017–33. 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). 17 The Commission recently granted exemptive relief to the Participants to delay the publication of their Appendix B data until August 31, 2017. See Letter from David S. Shillman, Associate Director, Division of Trading and Markets, Commission, to Jennifer Piorko Mitchell, Vice President and Deputy Corporate Secretary, FINRA, dated April 28, 2017. The Commission notes that other Participants have submitted proposed rule changes to delay the publication of Appendix B data until August 31, 2017. See e.g., SR–BatsBYX–2017–10; SR– BatsBZX–2017–31; SR–BatsEDGA–2017–10; SR– BatsEDGX–2017–19; SR–BX–2017–022; SR–CHX– 2017–07; SR–FINRA–2017–010; SR–IEX–2017–12; SR–NASDAQ–2017–044; SR–NYSE–2017–19; SR– NYSEArca–2017–49; SR–NYSEMKT–2017–24. 18 For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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–Phlx– 2017–33 and should be submitted on or before June 7, 2017. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.19 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–09930 Filed 5–16–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–80655; File No. SR– NASDAQ–2017–044] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 4770 To Modify the Date of Appendix B Web Site Data Publication May 11, 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 April 28, 2017, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’ 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 19 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22690-22692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09930]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-80660; File No. SR-Phlx-2017-33]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 3317 
To Modify the Date of Appendix B Web Site Data Publication

May 11, 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 April 28, 2017, NASDAQ PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') 
the proposed rule

[[Page 22691]]

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 proposes 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://nasdaqphlx.cchwallstreet.com/ com/, at the principal 
office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such 
statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    Rule 3317(b) (Compliance with Data Collection Requirements) \3\ 
implements the data collection and Web site publication requirements of 
the Plan.\4\ Commentary .08 to Rule 3317 provides, among other things, 
that the requirement that the Exchange provide information to the SEC 
within 30 days following month end pursuant to Appendix B and C of the 
Plan shall commence at the beginning of the Pilot Period.\5\ Commentary 
.08 to Rule 3317 also provides that, with respect to data for the Pre-
Pilot and Pilot Period, the requirement that the Exchange or DEA make 
Appendix B data publicly available on the Exchange's or DEA's Web site 
shall commence on April 28, 2017.\6\
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    \3\ See Rule 3317(b). See also Securities Exchange Act Release 
No. 77458 (March 28, 2016), 81 FR 18919 (April 1, 2016) (SR-Phlx-
2016-39).
    \4\ The Participants filed the Plan to comply with an order 
issued by the Commission on June 24, 2014. See Letter from Brendon 
J. Weiss, Vice President, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., to 
Secretary, Commission, dated August 25, 2014 (``SRO Tick Size Plan 
Proposal''). See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72460 (June 24, 
2014), 79 FR 36840 (June 30, 2014); see also Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 74892 (May 6, 2015), 80 FR 27513 (May 13, 2015).
    \5\ Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms have the 
meaning ascribed to them in Rule 3317.
    \6\ On November 30, 2016, the SEC granted exemptive relief to 
the Participants to, among other things, delay the publication of 
Web site data pursuant to Appendices B and C to the Plan until 
February 28, 2017, and to delay the ongoing Web site publication by 
ninety days such that data would be published within 120 calendar 
days following the end of the month. See Letter from David S. 
Shillman, Associate Director, Division of Trading and Markets, 
Commission, to Marcia E. Asquith, Senior Vice President and 
Corporate Secretary, FINRA, dated November 30, 2016; see also 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79545 (December 14, 2016), 81 FR 
92916 (December 20, 2016) (SR-Phlx-2016-118). The SEC subsequently 
extended this exemptive relief to April 28, 2017. See Letter from 
David S. Shillman, Associate Director, Division of Trading and 
Markets, Commission, to Robert L.D. Colby, Executive Vice President 
and Chief Legal Officer, FINRA, dated February 28, 2017.
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    The Exchange is now proposing to amend Commentary .08 to Rule 3317 
to delay the date by which Pre-Pilot and Pilot Appendix B data is to be 
made publicly available on the Exchange's Web site from April 28, 2017 
to August 31, 2017.\7\
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    \7\ Commentary .08 to Rule 3317 initially required that the 
Exchange make Pre-Pilot and Pilot Appendix B data publicly available 
by February 28, 2017. Phlx filed a proposed rule change to extend 
this date to April 28, 2017. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 
80226 (March 13, 2017), 82 FR 14238 (March 17, 2017) (SR-Phlx-2017-
22).
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    In the SRO Tick Size Plan Proposal, the Participants stated that 
the public data will be made available for free ``on a disaggregated 
basis by trading center'' on the Web sites of the Participants and the 
Designated Examining Authorities.\8\ However, market participants have 
expressed confidentiality concerns regarding this approach for over-
the-counter (``OTC'') data.\9\ Thus, Phlx is filing the instant 
proposed rule change to provide additional time to assess a means of 
addressing the confidentiality concerns raised in connection with the 
publication of Appendix B data related to OTC activity in furtherance 
of the objectives of the Plan.\10\ Pursuant to this amendment, Appendix 
B data publication will be delayed until August 31, 2017. The 
Participants anticipate filing additional proposed rule changes to 
address Appendix B data publication.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73511 (November 3, 
2014), 79 FR 66423 (November 7, 2014) (Notice of Filing of Proposed 
National Market System Plan to Implement a Tick Size Pilot Program 
on a One-Year Pilot Basis, File No. 4-657) (``Tick Size Plan 
Proposal'').
    \9\ See letters from Adam C. Cooper, Senior Managing Director 
and Chief Legal Officer, Citadel Securities, to Brent J. Fields, 
Secretary, Commission, dated December 21, 2016 (``Citadel letter''); 
and William Hebert, Managing Director, Financial Information Forum, 
to Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary, Commission, dated December 
21, 2016 (``FIF letter'').
    \10\ In connection with its filing to implement a similar change 
in its rules, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. is 
also submitting an exemptive request to the SEC on behalf of all 
Plan Participants requesting relief from the relevant requirements 
of the Plan.
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    Phlx has filed the proposed rule change for immediate 
effectiveness. The operative date of the proposed rule change will be 
the date of filing.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\11\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act,\12\ in particular, in that it is designed 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. Phlx also believes that the proposal is consistent with 
Section 6(b)(8) of the Act,\13\ which requires that Exchange rules not 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Plan is designed to allow the Commission, market participants, 
and the public to study and assess the impact of increment conventions 
on the liquidity and trading of the common stock of small-
capitalization companies. Phlx believes that this proposal is 
consistent with the Act because it is in furtherance of the objectives 
of Section VII(A) of the Plan in that it is designed to provide the 
Exchange with additional time to assess a means of addressing the 
confidentiality concerns raised in connection with the publication of 
Appendix B data, to comply with the Plan's requirements that the data 
made publicly available will not identify the trading center that 
generated the data.

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 not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change 
implements the provisions of the Plan, and all Participants are filing 
similar proposals to extend the publication date of Appendix B data.

[[Page 22692]]

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

    No written comments were either solicited or 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 from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \14\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\15\
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    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \15\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19(b)-4(f)(6) normally does 
not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. 
However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the Commission may 
designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has filed 
the proposed rule change for immediate effectiveness and has requested 
that the Commission waive the requirement that the proposed rule change 
not become operative for 30 days after the date of the filing so that 
it may become operative on the date of filing.
    The Exchange notes that the proposed rule change is intended to 
mitigate confidentiality concerns raised in connection with Section 
VII(A) of the Plan, which provides that the data made publicly 
available will not identify the Trading Center that generated the data. 
The Exchange states that the additional time would allow consideration 
of a methodology to mitigate concerns related to the publication of 
Appendix B data.\16\
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    \16\ The Commission recently approved a FINRA proposal to 
implement an aggregated, anonymous grouped masking methodology for 
the publication of Appendix B data related to OTC trading activity. 
See Securities Exchange Release No. 80551, (April 28, 2017), 82 FR 
20948 (May 4, 2017). See also Letter from David S. Shillman, 
Associate Director, Division of Trading and Markets, Commission, to 
Marcia E. Asquith, Executive Vice President FINRA, dated April 28, 
2017.
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    The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is 
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest 
because it will synchronize the timing for publication of Appendix B 
data for all Participants, which should enhance the consistency and 
usefulness of the data.\17\ Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the 
30-day operative delay and designates the proposed rule change to be 
operative on the date of filing.\18\
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    \17\ The Commission recently granted exemptive relief to the 
Participants to delay the publication of their Appendix B data until 
August 31, 2017. See Letter from David S. Shillman, Associate 
Director, Division of Trading and Markets, Commission, to Jennifer 
Piorko Mitchell, Vice President and Deputy Corporate Secretary, 
FINRA, dated April 28, 2017. The Commission notes that other 
Participants have submitted proposed rule changes to delay the 
publication of Appendix B data until August 31, 2017. See e.g., SR-
BatsBYX-2017-10; SR-BatsBZX-2017-31; SR-BatsEDGA-2017-10; SR-
BatsEDGX-2017-19; SR-BX-2017-022; SR-CHX-2017-07; SR-FINRA-2017-010; 
SR-IEX-2017-12; SR-NASDAQ-2017-044; SR-NYSE-2017-19; SR-NYSEArca-
2017-49; SR-NYSEMKT-2017-24.
    \18\ For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this 
proposal, the Commission has 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-Phlx-2017-33 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2017-33. 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-Phlx-2017-33 and should be 
submitted on or before June 7, 2017.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\19\
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    \19\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-09930 Filed 5-16-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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