Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Amend Its Listing Standards for Closed-End Funds, 36054-36056 [2017-16207]

Download as PDF 36054 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 147 / Wednesday, August 2, 2017 / Notices sradovich on DSKBCFCHB2PROD with NOTICES be efficient and effective in meeting the requirements of its participants and the markets it serves, and have the covered clearing agency’s management regularly review the efficiency and effectiveness of its (i) clearing and settlement arrangements; (ii) operating structure, including risk management policies, procedures, and systems; (iii) scope of products cleared or settled; and (iv) use of technology and communication procedures.28 The Framework would describe some of the ways in which the Clearing Agencies review the efficiency and effectiveness of their businesses and operations. For example, the Framework would describe how the Clearing Agencies employ a structured approach to the pre-implementation reviews of new initiatives, including initiatives related to their clearing and settlement arrangements, scope of products cleared or settled, and use of technology and communication procedures. The Framework would also describe the Clearing Agencies’ Core Balanced Business Scorecard, which is used to review the effectiveness of the Clearing Agencies’ operations, information technology services levels, financial performance and other aspects of their business, including their respective participants’ experiences. The Framework would also describe some of the steps the Clearing Agencies take in order to be efficient and effective in meeting the requirements of their participants and the markets they serve, including, for example, through the establishment, implementation, maintenance and enforcement of a written policy to address escalation, tracking and resolution of certain customer complaints. Therefore, by describing some of the ways in which the Clearing Agencies review the efficiency and effectiveness of their businesses and operations, the Clearing Agencies believe the Framework is consistent with the requirements of Rule 17Ad–22(e)(21).29 (B) Clearing Agencies’ Statement on Burden on Competition None of the Clearing Agencies believe that the Framework would have any impact, or impose any burden, on competition because the proposed rule changes reflect some of the existing methods by which the Clearing Agencies manage Key Clearing Agency Risks, and would not effectuate any changes to the Clearing Agencies’ processes described therein as they currently apply to their respective participants. 28 17 CFR 240.17Ad–22(e)(21). 29 Id. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:43 Aug 01, 2017 Jkt 241001 (C) Clearing Agencies’ Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Changes Received From Members, Participants, or Others The Clearing Agencies have not solicited or received any written comments relating to this proposal. The Clearing Agencies will notify the Commission of any written comments received by the Clearing Agencies. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Changes, and Timing for Commission Action Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the clearing agency consents, the Commission will: (A) By order approve or disapprove such proposed rule changes, or (B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule changes should be disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule changes are 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– DTC–2017–013, SR–NSCC–2017–012, or SR–FICC–2017–016 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–DTC–2017–013, SR–NSCC– 2017–012, or SR–FICC–2017–016. One of these file numbers 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 changes that are filed with the Commission, and all written PO 00000 Frm 00129 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 communications relating to the proposed rule changes 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 Clearing Agencies, and on DTCC’s Web site (https://dtcc.com/legal/ sec-rule-filings.aspx). 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–DTC– 2017–013, SR–NSCC–2017–012, or SR– FICC–2017–016, and should be submitted on or before August 23, 2017. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.30 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–16268 Filed 8–1–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–81226; File No. SR–NYSE– 2017–08] Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Amend Its Listing Standards for Closed-End Funds July 27, 2017. I. Introduction On May 24, 2017, New York Stock Exchange LLC (‘‘NYSE’’ or the ‘‘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 amend its listing standards for closedend funds. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the 30 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\02AUN1.SGM 02AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 147 / Wednesday, August 2, 2017 / Notices Federal Register on June 12, 2017.3 On June 29, 2017, NYSE filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposal.4 The Commission received no comments on the proposed rule change. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comment on Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change from interested persons, and is approving the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, on an accelerated basis. sradovich on DSKBCFCHB2PROD with NOTICES II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1 The Exchange has proposed to modify its listing standards applicable to a closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (a ‘‘Fund’’). In its filing, the Exchange explained that this proposal would conform its initial and continued listing standards for Funds to the listing standards for Funds utilized by NYSE MKT LLC (‘‘NYSE MKT’’).5 Currently, the Exchange will generally authorize the listing of a Fund that meets the distribution and publicly held shares requirements contained in Sections 102.01A and 102.01B of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, respectively, if the Fund’s market value of publicly held shares is $60,000,000, regardless of whether the listing concerns an initial public offering or an existing Fund.6 Notwithstanding the requirement for market value of publicly held shares of $60,000,000, the Exchange will generally authorize the listing of all of the Funds in a group of Funds listed concurrently with a common investment adviser or investment advisers who are ‘‘affiliated persons,’’ as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, if: (i) Total group market value of publicly held shares equals in the aggregate at least $200,000,000; (ii) the group market value of publicly held shares averages at least $45,000,000 per Fund; and (iii) no one Fund in the group has a market value of publicly held shares of less than $30,000,000.7 Under the proposal, the Exchange would generally authorize the listing of 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80867 (June 6, 2017), 82 FR 26964 (‘‘Notice’’). 4 Amendment No. 1 revised the proposal to insert additional rule text to clarify the definition of public stockholders for purposes of determining adherence to the continued listing requirements for closed-end funds and to make conforming changes. Amendment No. 1 is available at: https:// www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nyse-2017-08/ nyse201708-1832561-154372.pdf. 5 See Notice, supra note 3, at 26964. 6 See NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 102.04A. 7 See id. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:43 Aug 01, 2017 Jkt 241001 a Fund that has a market value of publicly held shares or net assets of $20,000,000.8 Alternatively, the Exchange would generally authorize the listing of a group of Funds if: (i) Total group market value of publicly held shares or net assets equals in the aggregate at least $75,000,000; (ii) the group market value of publicly held shares or net assets averages at least $15,000,000 per Fund; and (iii) each Fund in the group has a market value of publicly held shares or net assets of at least $10,000,000.9 With respect to the introduction of requirements concerning a Fund’s net asset value (‘‘NAV’’),10 the Exchange explained that Funds disclose NAV on at least a quarterly basis, and often more frequently, and that a Fund’s share price typically trades at a premium or discount to NAV, with share price and NAV generally maintaining a close relationship.11 According to the Exchange, this relationship between share price and NAV makes the market price of a Fund less reliant on the price discovery mechanism of a liquid trading market than is the case with operating companies, and therefore the Exchange believes that NAV is an appropriate additional or alternative measure of suitability for listing.12 The Exchange explained that these revisions to the initial listing standards for Funds are based on the rules of NYSE MKT.13 Under current continued listing standards, the Exchange will promptly initiate suspension and delisting procedures with respect to a Fund if the average market capitalization of the entity over 30 consecutive trading days is below $15,000,000 or the Fund ceases to maintain its closed-end status.14 The Exchange has proposed to replace the existing average market capitalization continued listing standard with a requirement that Funds not fall below $5,000,000 in both total market value of publicly held shares and net assets over any 60 consecutive calendar day period.15 Shares held by directors, 8 See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 102.04A. 9 See id. 10 The Exchange explained that the NAV of a Fund is the value of all Fund assets less liabilities, divided by the number of shares outstanding. See Notice, supra note 3, at 26964. 11 See id. The Commission notes that most closedend funds calculate NAV on a daily basis. 12 See id. 13 See id. (citing NYSE MKT Company Guide, Section 101(g)). 14 See NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B. 15 See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B. The Exchange also has proposed to fix a typographical error in Section 802.01B of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. See Notice, supra note 3, at 26965. PO 00000 Frm 00130 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 36055 officers, or their immediate families and other concentrated holdings of 10 percent or more would be excluded in calculating the number of publicly held shares.16 The Exchange explained that these changes to the continued listing standards for Funds are based on the rules of NYSE MKT.17 According to the Exchange, it would monitor compliance with the publicly held shares requirement on an ongoing basis and ask any Fund whose total market value of publicly held shares fell below $5,000,000 over 60 calendar days to provide evidence that its net assets had exceeded $5,000,000 over the required period.18 The Exchange explained that it would promptly initiate suspension and delisting procedures with respect to any Fund that could not demonstrate compliance with the net asset requirement at such time.19 In addition, current Exchange rules provide that the Exchange will notify the Fund if the average market capitalization falls below $25,000,000 and will advise the Fund of the delisting standard.20 The Exchange has proposed to update this notification requirement, according to the Exchange, to reflect the reduced market capitalization component of the delisting standard and thus provide that the Exchange will notify a Fund if the total market value of publicly held shares over a 60 16 See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B; Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 7. Similarly, for purposes of the public stockholder requirement, as discussed below, ‘‘public stockholders’’ would exclude holders that are directors, officers, or their immediate families and holders of other concentrated holdings of 10 percent or more. See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B; Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 7. The Exchange represented that it relies primarily on the beneficial ownership disclosure included in the issuers’ registration statements and annual meeting proxy statements in calculating publicly held shares and public stockholders, but also refers to other Commission filings where appropriate and its determinations are made in accordance with Rule 13d–3 under the Act. The Exchange stated that this is its practice under all of its rules where these calculations must be made. The Exchange also stated that this is the practice of NYSE MKT and the Exchange believes that its approach is generally consistent with that of the NASDAQ Stock Market. See Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 3. 17 See Notice, supra note 3, at 26964–65 (citing NYSE MKT Company Guide, Section 1003(b)(v)). 18 See Notice, supra note 3, at 26965 n. 4. 19 See id. According to the Exchange, no listed Fund is currently below compliance with the Exchange’s continued listing standards. See id. 20 See NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B. Funds are not eligible to utilize the followup procedures in Sections 802.02 and 802.03 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual that can be used by companies that are below the Exchange’s continued listing criteria. See id. E:\FR\FM\02AUN1.SGM 02AUN1 36056 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 147 / Wednesday, August 2, 2017 / Notices calendar day period falls below $10,000,000.21 Further, the Exchange would specify that the distribution standards for common stocks of operating companies set forth in Section 802.01A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual do not apply to Funds.22 The Exchange is proposing new continued listing standards that apply only to Funds. Under the proposal, the Exchange would normally give consideration to the prompt initiation of suspension and delisting procedures with respect to the common stock of a Fund if: (i) The number of shares publicly held is less than 200,000; (ii) the total number of public stockholders is less than 300; 23 or (iii) the total market value of shares publicly held is less than $1,000,000 for more than 90 consecutive calendar days.24 sradovich on DSKBCFCHB2PROD with NOTICES II. Discussion and Commission Findings After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.25 In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,26 which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Section 6(b)(5) of the 21 See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B; see also Notice, supra note 3, at 26965. 22 See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B. 23 The current distribution standards require 400 total stockholders, which calculation does not exclude public stockholders. See NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01A. 24 See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B; Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 7; supra note 16 and accompanying text. In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange amended the rule language to make clear that the definitions of publicly held shares and public stockholders, as described above, apply to these sections as appropriate. 25 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). 26 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:43 Aug 01, 2017 Jkt 241001 Act 27 also requires that the rules of an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. The Commission notes that the proposed initial and continued listing standards are consistent with those listing standards currently utilized by NYSE MKT 28 and that the Commission received no comments on the Exchange’s proposed rule change. The Commission believes that the adjustment of the threshold for total market value of publicly held shares below which the Exchange will notify a Fund of the delisting standard is consistent with the adjustment to the continued listing standards in this proposed rule change. Based on the foregoing, the Commission believes that the proposed rule change presents no novel regulatory issues and therefore finds the proposed rule change to be consistent with the Act. IV. Solicitation of Comments on Amendment No. 1 Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning whether Amendment No. 1 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– NYSE–2017–08 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–NYSE–2017–08. 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 supra notes 13 and 17 and accompanying text. PO 00000 V. Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1 The Commission finds good cause to approve the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, prior to the thirtieth day after the date of publication of the notice of Amendment No. 1 in the Federal Register. The Commission believes that the proposed changes to the description of the Exchange’s method of calculating publicly held shares and public stockholders add clarity to the process. Accordingly, for the reasons noted above, the Commission finds good cause for approving the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, on an accelerated basis, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act.29 VI. Conclusion It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19b(2) of the Act,30 that the proposed rule change (SR–NYSE–2017– 08), as modified by Amendment No. 1 thereto, be, and hereby is, approved on an accelerated basis. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.31 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–16207 Filed 8–1–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 29 15 27 Id. 28 See those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing 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–NYSE– 2017–08, and should be submitted on or before August 23, 2017. Frm 00131 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 31 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 30 15 E:\FR\FM\02AUN1.SGM 02AUN1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 147 (Wednesday, August 2, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36054-36056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16207]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-81226; File No. SR-NYSE-2017-08]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC;
Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting Accelerated
Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To
Amend Its Listing Standards for Closed-End Funds

July 27, 2017.

I. Introduction

On May 24, 2017, New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'' or the
``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 amend its listing standards for closed-end
funds. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the

[[Page 36055]]

Federal Register on June 12, 2017.\3\ On June 29, 2017, NYSE filed
Amendment No. 1 to the proposal.\4\ The Commission received no comments
on the proposed rule change. The Commission is publishing this notice
to solicit comment on Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change from
interested persons, and is approving the proposed rule change, as
modified by Amendment No. 1, on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80867 (June 6,
2017), 82 FR 26964 (``Notice'').
\4\ Amendment No. 1 revised the proposal to insert additional
rule text to clarify the definition of public stockholders for
purposes of determining adherence to the continued listing
requirements for closed-end funds and to make conforming changes.
Amendment No. 1 is available at: https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nyse-2017-08/nyse201708-1832561-154372.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment
No. 1

The Exchange has proposed to modify its listing standards
applicable to a closed-end management investment company registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (a ``Fund''). In its filing,
the Exchange explained that this proposal would conform its initial and
continued listing standards for Funds to the listing standards for
Funds utilized by NYSE MKT LLC (``NYSE MKT'').\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\5\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 26964.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Currently, the Exchange will generally authorize the listing of a
Fund that meets the distribution and publicly held shares requirements
contained in Sections 102.01A and 102.01B of the NYSE Listed Company
Manual, respectively, if the Fund's market value of publicly held
shares is $60,000,000, regardless of whether the listing concerns an
initial public offering or an existing Fund.\6\ Notwithstanding the
requirement for market value of publicly held shares of $60,000,000,
the Exchange will generally authorize the listing of all of the Funds
in a group of Funds listed concurrently with a common investment
adviser or investment advisers who are ``affiliated persons,'' as
defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, if: (i) Total group market value of publicly held shares
equals in the aggregate at least $200,000,000; (ii) the group market
value of publicly held shares averages at least $45,000,000 per Fund;
and (iii) no one Fund in the group has a market value of publicly held
shares of less than $30,000,000.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\6\ See NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 102.04A.
\7\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Under the proposal, the Exchange would generally authorize the
listing of a Fund that has a market value of publicly held shares or
net assets of $20,000,000.\8\ Alternatively, the Exchange would
generally authorize the listing of a group of Funds if: (i) Total group
market value of publicly held shares or net assets equals in the
aggregate at least $75,000,000; (ii) the group market value of publicly
held shares or net assets averages at least $15,000,000 per Fund; and
(iii) each Fund in the group has a market value of publicly held shares
or net assets of at least $10,000,000.\9\ With respect to the
introduction of requirements concerning a Fund's net asset value
(``NAV''),\10\ the Exchange explained that Funds disclose NAV on at
least a quarterly basis, and often more frequently, and that a Fund's
share price typically trades at a premium or discount to NAV, with
share price and NAV generally maintaining a close relationship.\11\
According to the Exchange, this relationship between share price and
NAV makes the market price of a Fund less reliant on the price
discovery mechanism of a liquid trading market than is the case with
operating companies, and therefore the Exchange believes that NAV is an
appropriate additional or alternative measure of suitability for
listing.\12\ The Exchange explained that these revisions to the initial
listing standards for Funds are based on the rules of NYSE MKT.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\8\ See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 102.04A.
\9\ See id.
\10\ The Exchange explained that the NAV of a Fund is the value
of all Fund assets less liabilities, divided by the number of shares
outstanding. See Notice, supra note 3, at 26964.
\11\ See id. The Commission notes that most closed-end funds
calculate NAV on a daily basis.
\12\ See id.
\13\ See id. (citing NYSE MKT Company Guide, Section 101(g)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Under current continued listing standards, the Exchange will
promptly initiate suspension and delisting procedures with respect to a
Fund if the average market capitalization of the entity over 30
consecutive trading days is below $15,000,000 or the Fund ceases to
maintain its closed-end status.\14\ The Exchange has proposed to
replace the existing average market capitalization continued listing
standard with a requirement that Funds not fall below $5,000,000 in
both total market value of publicly held shares and net assets over any
60 consecutive calendar day period.\15\ Shares held by directors,
officers, or their immediate families and other concentrated holdings
of 10 percent or more would be excluded in calculating the number of
publicly held shares.\16\ The Exchange explained that these changes to
the continued listing standards for Funds are based on the rules of
NYSE MKT.\17\ According to the Exchange, it would monitor compliance
with the publicly held shares requirement on an ongoing basis and ask
any Fund whose total market value of publicly held shares fell below
$5,000,000 over 60 calendar days to provide evidence that its net
assets had exceeded $5,000,000 over the required period.\18\ The
Exchange explained that it would promptly initiate suspension and
delisting procedures with respect to any Fund that could not
demonstrate compliance with the net asset requirement at such time.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\14\ See NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B.
\15\ See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B.
The Exchange also has proposed to fix a typographical error in
Section 802.01B of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. See Notice, supra
note 3, at 26965.
\16\ See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B;
Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 7. Similarly, for purposes of the
public stockholder requirement, as discussed below, ``public
stockholders'' would exclude holders that are directors, officers,
or their immediate families and holders of other concentrated
holdings of 10 percent or more. See proposed NYSE Listed Company
Manual, Section 802.01B; Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 7. The
Exchange represented that it relies primarily on the beneficial
ownership disclosure included in the issuers' registration
statements and annual meeting proxy statements in calculating
publicly held shares and public stockholders, but also refers to
other Commission filings where appropriate and its determinations
are made in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Act. The Exchange
stated that this is its practice under all of its rules where these
calculations must be made. The Exchange also stated that this is the
practice of NYSE MKT and the Exchange believes that its approach is
generally consistent with that of the NASDAQ Stock Market. See
Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 3.
\17\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 26964-65 (citing NYSE MKT
Company Guide, Section 1003(b)(v)).
\18\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 26965 n. 4.
\19\ See id. According to the Exchange, no listed Fund is
currently below compliance with the Exchange's continued listing
standards. See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition, current Exchange rules provide that the Exchange will
notify the Fund if the average market capitalization falls below
$25,000,000 and will advise the Fund of the delisting standard.\20\ The
Exchange has proposed to update this notification requirement,
according to the Exchange, to reflect the reduced market capitalization
component of the delisting standard and thus provide that the Exchange
will notify a Fund if the total market value of publicly held shares
over a 60

[[Page 36056]]

calendar day period falls below $10,000,000.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\20\ See NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B. Funds are
not eligible to utilize the follow-up procedures in Sections 802.02
and 802.03 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual that can be used by
companies that are below the Exchange's continued listing criteria.
See id.
\21\ See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B;
see also Notice, supra note 3, at 26965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Further, the Exchange would specify that the distribution standards
for common stocks of operating companies set forth in Section 802.01A
of the NYSE Listed Company Manual do not apply to Funds.\22\ The
Exchange is proposing new continued listing standards that apply only
to Funds. Under the proposal, the Exchange would normally give
consideration to the prompt initiation of suspension and delisting
procedures with respect to the common stock of a Fund if: (i) The
number of shares publicly held is less than 200,000; (ii) the total
number of public stockholders is less than 300; \23\ or (iii) the total
market value of shares publicly held is less than $1,000,000 for more
than 90 consecutive calendar days.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\22\ See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B.
\23\ The current distribution standards require 400 total
stockholders, which calculation does not exclude public
stockholders. See NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01A.
\24\ See proposed NYSE Listed Company Manual, Section 802.01B;
Amendment No. 1, supra note 4, at 7; supra note 16 and accompanying
text. In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange amended the rule language to
make clear that the definitions of publicly held shares and public
stockholders, as described above, apply to these sections as
appropriate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Discussion and Commission Findings

After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule
change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, is consistent with the
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder
applicable to a national securities exchange.\25\ In particular, the
Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\26\ which requires, among other things,
that the rules of a national securities exchange be designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination
with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing
information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in
securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a
free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to
protect investors and the public interest. Section 6(b)(5) of the Act
\27\ also requires that the rules of an exchange not be designed to
permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or
dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\25\ 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).
\26\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
\27\ Id.
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The Commission notes that the proposed initial and continued
listing standards are consistent with those listing standards currently
utilized by NYSE MKT \28\ and that the Commission received no comments
on the Exchange's proposed rule change. The Commission believes that
the adjustment of the threshold for total market value of publicly held
shares below which the Exchange will notify a Fund of the delisting
standard is consistent with the adjustment to the continued listing
standards in this proposed rule change. Based on the foregoing, the
Commission believes that the proposed rule change presents no novel
regulatory issues and therefore finds the proposed rule change to be
consistent with the Act.
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\28\ See supra notes 13 and 17 and accompanying text.
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IV. Solicitation of Comments on Amendment No. 1

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning whether Amendment No. 1 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-NYSE-2017-08 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-NYSE-2017-08. This file
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing 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-NYSE-2017-08, and should be
submitted on or before August 23, 2017.

V. Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 1

The Commission finds good cause to approve the proposed rule
change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, prior to the thirtieth day
after the date of publication of the notice of Amendment No. 1 in the
Federal Register. The Commission believes that the proposed changes to
the description of the Exchange's method of calculating publicly held
shares and public stockholders add clarity to the process. Accordingly,
for the reasons noted above, the Commission finds good cause for
approving the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, on
an accelerated basis, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act.\29\
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\29\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
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VI. Conclusion

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19b(2) of the Act,\30\
that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSE-2017-08), as modified by
Amendment No. 1 thereto, be, and hereby is, approved on an accelerated
basis.
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\30\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\31\
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\31\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-16207 Filed 8-1-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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