Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Amend the Generic Listing Criteria Applicable to Equity Index-Linked Securities, 40178-40180 [2017-17920]
Download as PDF
40178
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 163 / Thursday, August 24, 2017 / Notices
CNS Fails Positions. Therefore, NSCC
believes any burden on competition
imposed by the CNS Fails Charge would
be necessary and appropriate in
furtherance of the Act in order to limit
NSCC’s exposures to the risks being
mitigated by such charge.
NSCC does not believe that the
proposed rule change to clarify NSCC’s
current practices with respect to the
assessment and collection of the CNS
Fails Charge would impact
competition.16 The proposed rule
change would increase the transparency
of the Rules regarding this existing
charge and codify NSCC’s current
practices with respect to the assessment
and imposition of the charge. As such,
NSCC believes that this proposed rule
change would not impact Members or
have any impact on competition.
(C) Clearing Agency’s Statement on
Comments on the Proposed Rule
Change Received From Members,
Participants, or Others
Written comments relating to this
proposed rule change have not been
solicited or received. NSCC will notify
the Commission of any written
comments received by NSCC.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change, 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 self-regulatory organization
consents, the Commission will:
(A) By order approve or disapprove
such proposed rule change, or
(B) institute proceedings to determine
whether the proposed rule change
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
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–NSCC–2017–015. 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 20549–1090 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 NSCC and on DTCC’s Web site
(https://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rulefilings.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–NSCC–
2017–015 and should be submitted on
or before September 14, 2017.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.17
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017–17911 Filed 8–23–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
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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–
NSCC–2017–015 on the subject line.
16 Id.
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No 34–81442; File No. SR–
NYSEArca–2017–54]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of
Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting
Accelerated Approval of a Proposed
Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 1, To Amend the
Generic Listing Criteria Applicable to
Equity Index-Linked Securities
August 18, 2017.
I. Introduction
On May 4, 2017, NYSE Arca, Inc.
(‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) filed
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant
to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’ or
‘‘Exchange Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4
thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to
amend the generic listing criteria
applicable to Equity Index-Linked
Securities.3 The proposed rule change
was published for comment in the
Federal Register on May 23, 2017.4 On
July 6, 2017, pursuant to Section
19(b)(2) of the Act,5 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.6 On August 17, 2017, the
Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the
proposed rule change, which replaced
and superseded the original proposal in
its entirety.7 The Commission received
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 Equity Index-Linked Securities are securities
that provide for the payment at maturity (or earlier
redemption) based on the performance of an
underlying index or indexes of equity securities,
securities of closed-end management investment
companies registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and/or Investment Company
Units (‘‘Units’’). See NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1).
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80707
(May 17, 2017), 82 FR 23636.
5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81081,
82 FR 32218 (July 12, 2017).
7 In Amendment No. 1 the Exchange: (1) Revised
proposed NYSE Arca Rules-5.2–
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(iii) and 5.2–E(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(i) to
provide that the index concentration limit
applicable to the five highest dollar-weighted
components would apply only to an index with five
or more components that are not Derivative
Securities Products or Index-Linked Securities (as
those terms are defined below) and to provide that
these securities would only be excluded from the
numerator of the index concentration limit
calculation; (2) modified proposed NYSE Arca Rule
5.2–E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(a) to specify that Derivative
Securities Products and Index-Linked Securities (as
those terms are defined below) also include
2 17
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 163 / Thursday, August 24, 2017 / Notices
no comments on the proposed rule
change. The Commission is publishing
this notice to solicit comments on
Amendment No. 1 from interested
persons, and is approving the proposed
rule change, as modified by Amendment
No. 1, on an accelerated basis.
II. The Exchange’s Description of the
Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment No. 1
rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with NOTICES
The Exchange proposes to amend
NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–E(j)(6) to exclude
the following types of index
components from certain generic listing
requirements applicable to an index
underlying Equity Index-Linked
Securities: (1) Investment Company
Units (‘‘Units’’); 8 (2) securities defined
in Section 2 of NYSE Arca Rule 8–E
(collectively with Units, ‘‘Derivative
Securities Products’’); 9 (3) Index-Linked
Securities; and (4) securities listed on
other national securities exchanges
pursuant to rules that are substantially
equivalent to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–
E(j)(3), NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–E(j)(6), and
Section 2 of NYSE Arca Rule 8–E.
Specifically, the Exchange proposes the
following:
• Currently, for an issue of Equity
Index-Linked Securities to qualify for
initial listing, each underlying index
must have at least ten component
securities. The Exchange would modify
this requirement to reflect no minimum
number of index components if one or
more issues of Derivative Securities
Products or Index-Linked Securities
constitute, at least in part, component
securities listed on another national securities
exchange pursuant to substantially equivalent
listing rules; and (3) made a technical correction to
Rule 5.2–E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(iv) to change its reference
to ‘‘NYSE Arca Rule 5.3’’ to read ‘‘NYSE Arca Rule
5.3–O.’’ Amendment No. 1 is available at: https://
www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2017-54/
nysearca201754-2227310-160780.pdf. Amendment
No. 1 also reflects numbering changes effected by
the recently approved merger of NYSE Arca
Equities and NYSE Arca Options rules. See
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81419 (August
17, 2017) (SR–NYSEArca–2017–40).
8 Units are securities that represent an interest in
a registered investment company that could be
organized as a unit investment trust, an open-end
management investment company, or a similar
entity, that holds securities comprising, or
otherwise based on or representing an interest in,
an index or portfolio of securities or securities in
another registered investment company that holds
such securities. See NYSE Arca Rule-5.2–E(j)(3).
9 The following securities currently are included
in Section 2 of NYSE Arca Rule 8–E: Portfolio
Depositary Receipts (Rule 8.100–E); Trust Issued
Receipts (Rule 8.200–E); Commodity-Based Trust
Shares (Rule 8.201–E); Currency Trust Shares (Rule
8.202–E); Commodity Index Trust Shares (Rule
8.203–E); Commodity Futures Trust Shares (Rule8.204–E); Partnership Units (Rule 8.300–E); Paired
Trust Shares (Rule-8.400–E);Trust Units (Rule
8.500–E); Managed Fund Shares (Rule 8.600–E);
and Managed Trust Securities (Rule 8.700–E).
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15:29 Aug 23, 2017
Jkt 241001
securities underlying an issue of Equity
Index-Linked Securities.10
• Currently, for an issue of Equity
Index-Linked Securities to qualify for
initial listing, each component security
must have a minimum market value of
at least $75 million, except that the
market value for each of the lowest
dollar-weighted component securities in
the index that in the aggregate account
for no more than 10% of the dollar
weight of the index may be at least $50
million. The Exchange proposes to
exclude Derivative Securities Products
and Index-Linked Securities from those
minimum market value requirements, as
well as to exclude from the calculation
of the aggregate dollar value of the index
the market value(s) of all components
that are Derivative Securities Products
or Index-Linked Securities.11
• Currently, for an issue of Equity
Index-Linked Securities to qualify for
initial listing, component stocks that in
the aggregate account for at least 90% of
the weight of the underlying index each
must have a minimum global monthly
trading volume of 1,000,000 shares or
minimum global notional volume traded
per month of $25,000,000, averaged over
the last six months. The Exchange
proposes to apply those requirements
only to index components that are not
Derivative Securities Products or IndexLinked Securities, and would exclude
components that are Derivative
Securities Products or Index-Linked
Securities from the calculation of the
index’s weight.12
• Currently, for an issue of Equity
Index-Linked Securities to qualify for
initial listing, no component security
may represent more than 25% of the
dollar weight of the index and the five
highest dollar-weighted component
securities in the index may not in the
aggregate account for more than 50%, or
60% for an index consisting of fewer
than 25 component securities, of the
dollar weight of the index.13 The
Exchange proposes to exclude
Derivative Securities Products and
Index-Linked Securities from these
index concentration limits and would
exclude Derivative Securities Products
and Index-Linked Securities from the
dollar value of the index for purposes of
10 See proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(a).
11 See proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(1).
12 See proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(2).
13 Currently, these requirements must also be met
whenever the index is rebalanced. See NYSE Arca
Rule 5.2–E(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(i).
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40179
calculating the total dollar value of the
index components.14
• Currently, for an issue of Equity
Index-Linked Securities to qualify for
initial listing, 90% of the underlying
index’s numerical value, and at least
80% of the total number of component
securities, must meet the then current
criteria for standardized option trading
set forth in NYSE Arca Rule 5.3–O;
except that an index will not be subject
to this requirement if (1) no underlying
component security represents more
than 10% of the dollar weight of the
index, and (2) the index has a minimum
of 20 components. The Exchange
proposes to apply this requirement only
to index components that are not
Derivative Securities Products or IndexLinked Securities and, for purposes of
this requirement would exclude all
components that are a Derivative
Securities Product or Index-Linked
Security from the calculations of the
index’s numerical value, total number of
components, and dollar value.15
• Currently, on a continuous basis,
component stocks that in the aggregate
account for at least 90% of the weight
of the index each must have a minimum
global monthly trading volume of
500,000 shares, or minimum global
notional volume traded per month of
$12,500,000, averaged over the last six
months. The Exchange proposes to
apply those requirements only to index
components that are not Derivative
Securities Products or Index-Linked
Securities, and would exclude
components that are Derivative
Securities Products or Index-Linked
Securities from the calculation of the
index’s total weight.16
The Exchange also proposes nonsubstantive changes to the text of NYSE
Arca Rule 5.2–E(j)(6).
III. Discussion and Commission’s
Findings
After careful review, the Commission
finds that the proposed rule change is
consistent with the requirements of the
Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to a national
14 See proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(3). As discussed above, the
Exchange also proposes that the index
concentration limit applicable to the five highest
dollar-weighted components would apply only to
an index with five or more components that are not
Derivative Securities Products or Index-Linked
Securities. See supra note 7. Further, the Exchange
proposes that these proposed index concentration
limits be met whenever the index is rebalanced. See
proposed NYSE Arca Rule-5.2–E(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(i).
15 See proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(iv).
16 See proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(ii).
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40180
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 163 / Thursday, August 24, 2017 / Notices
securities exchange.17 In particular, the
Commission finds that the proposed
rule change, as modified by Amendment
No. 1 thereto, is consistent with Section
6(b)(5) of the Act,18 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.
In support of its proposal, the
Exchange notes that Derivative
Securities Products are excluded from
consideration when determining
whether the components of Units satisfy
the applicable listing criteria in NYSE
Arca Rule 5.2–E(j)(3),19 and both
Derivative Securities Products and
Index-Linked Securities are excluded
from the applicable listing criteria for
Managed Fund Shares holding equity
securities in Commentary .01 to NYSE
Arca Rule 8.600–E.20
Specifically, the Exchange states:
‘‘both Derivative Securities Products
and Index-Linked Securities are
excluded from the applicable listing
criteria for Managed Fund Shares
holding equity securities in
Commentary .01 to Rule 8.600–E.’’ 21 In
approving the exclusion of Derivative
Securities Products and Index-Linked
Securities from certain generic listing
requirements applicable to Managed
Fund Shares, the Commission stated
that such exclusions would not increase
the susceptibility of Managed Fund
Shares to manipulation because IndexLinked Securities and Derivative
Securities Products each: (1) Have assetexposure concentration limits and
requirements promoting price
transparency within their own listing
standards; (2) are listed and traded on
national securities exchanges; and (3)
provide trading and price information
and other quantitative data for investors
rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with NOTICES
17 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).
18 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
19 See Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–
E(j)(3). See also Securities Exchange Act Release
No. 57751 (May 1, 2008), 73 FR 25818 (May 7,
2008) (SR–NYSEArca–2008–29) (approving
amendments to the eligibility criteria for
components of an index underlying Investment
Company Units).
20 See Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–
E. See also Securities Exchange Act Release No.
78397 (July 22, 2016), 81 FR 49320 (July 27, 2016)
(SR–NYSEArca–2015–110) (approving the adoption
of generic listing standards for Managed Fund
Shares) (‘‘MFS Order’’).
21 Amendment No. 1, supra note 7, at 9, text
accompanying n.20.
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15:29 Aug 23, 2017
Jkt 241001
and other market participants.22 For
these same reasons, the Commission
believes that excluding Derivative
Securities Products and Index-Linked
Securities from the same type of generic
listing requirements would not increase
the susceptibility of Equity IndexLinked Securities to manipulation.
Additionally, the Exchange represents
that it has in place surveillance
procedures that are adequate to properly
monitor trading in Index-Linked
Securities in all trading sessions and to
deter and detect violations of Exchange
rules and applicable federal securities
laws.
For the foregoing reasons, the
Commission finds that the proposed
rule change, as modified by Amendment
No. 1 thereto, is consistent with Section
6(b)(5) of the Act 23 and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to a
national securities exchange.
IV. Solicitation of Comments on
Amendment No. 1
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including 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–
NYSEArca–2017–54 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–NYSEArca–2017–54. 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–
NYSEArca–2017–54 and should be
submitted on or before September 14,
2017.
V. Accelerated Approval of the
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 Amendment No. 1 in the
Federal Register. As noted above,
Amendment No. 1 modified proposed
NYSE Arca Rules-5.2–
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(iii) and 5.2–
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(i) to provide that the
index concentration limit applicable to
the five highest dollar-weighted
components would apply only to an
index with five or more components
that are not Derivative Securities
Products or Index-Linked Securities.
These provisions are consistent with
Commentary .01(a)(1)(C) to NYSE Arca
Rule 8.600–E, and therefore the
Commission finds good cause, pursuant
to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,24 to
approve the proposed rule change, as
modified by Amendment No. 1, on an
accelerated basis.
VI. Conclusion
It Is Therefore Ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act,25
that the proposed rule change (SR–
NYSEArca–2017–54), as modified by
Amendment No. 1, be, and it hereby is,
approved on an accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.26
Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017–17920 Filed 8–23–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
24 15
22 See
MFS Order, supra note 20, at 49325.
23 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
PO 00000
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U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
26 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
25 15
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 163 (Thursday, August 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40178-40180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17920]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No 34-81442; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2017-54]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing
of Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a
Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Amend the
Generic Listing Criteria Applicable to Equity Index-Linked Securities
August 18, 2017.
I. Introduction
On May 4, 2017, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``Exchange'' or ``NYSE Arca'')
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission''),
pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act'' or ``Exchange Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ a
proposed rule change to amend the generic listing criteria applicable
to Equity Index-Linked Securities.\3\ The proposed rule change was
published for comment in the Federal Register on May 23, 2017.\4\ On
July 6, 2017, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,\5\ 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.\6\ On August 17, 2017, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to
the proposed rule change, which replaced and superseded the original
proposal in its entirety.\7\ The Commission received
[[Page 40179]]
no comments on the proposed rule change. The Commission is publishing
this notice to solicit comments on Amendment No. 1 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\ Equity Index-Linked Securities are securities that provide
for the payment at maturity (or earlier redemption) based on the
performance of an underlying index or indexes of equity securities,
securities of closed-end management investment companies registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or Investment Company
Units (``Units''). See NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1).
\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80707 (May 17,
2017), 82 FR 23636.
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
\6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81081, 82 FR 32218
(July 12, 2017).
\7\ In Amendment No. 1 the Exchange: (1) Revised proposed NYSE
Arca Rules-5.2-E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(iii) and 5.2-
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(i) to provide that the index concentration limit
applicable to the five highest dollar-weighted components would
apply only to an index with five or more components that are not
Derivative Securities Products or Index-Linked Securities (as those
terms are defined below) and to provide that these securities would
only be excluded from the numerator of the index concentration limit
calculation; (2) modified proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(a) to specify that Derivative Securities Products
and Index-Linked Securities (as those terms are defined below) also
include securities listed on another national securities exchange
pursuant to substantially equivalent listing rules; and (3) made a
technical correction to Rule 5.2-E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(iv) to change
its reference to ``NYSE Arca Rule 5.3'' to read ``NYSE Arca Rule
5.3-O.'' Amendment No. 1 is available at: https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2017-54/nysearca201754-2227310-160780.pdf.
Amendment No. 1 also reflects numbering changes effected by the
recently approved merger of NYSE Arca Equities and NYSE Arca Options
rules. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81419 (August 17,
2017) (SR-NYSEArca-2017-40).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. The Exchange's Description of the Proposed Rule Change, as Modified
by Amendment No. 1
The Exchange proposes to amend NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(6) to
exclude the following types of index components from certain generic
listing requirements applicable to an index underlying Equity Index-
Linked Securities: (1) Investment Company Units (``Units''); \8\ (2)
securities defined in Section 2 of NYSE Arca Rule 8-E (collectively
with Units, ``Derivative Securities Products''); \9\ (3) Index-Linked
Securities; and (4) securities listed on other national securities
exchanges pursuant to rules that are substantially equivalent to NYSE
Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3), NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(6), and Section 2 of
NYSE Arca Rule 8-E. Specifically, the Exchange proposes the following:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ Units are securities that represent an interest in a
registered investment company that could be organized as a unit
investment trust, an open-end management investment company, or a
similar entity, that holds securities comprising, or otherwise based
on or representing an interest in, an index or portfolio of
securities or securities in another registered investment company
that holds such securities. See NYSE Arca Rule-5.2-E(j)(3).
\9\ The following securities currently are included in Section 2
of NYSE Arca Rule 8-E: Portfolio Depositary Receipts (Rule 8.100-E);
Trust Issued Receipts (Rule 8.200-E); Commodity-Based Trust Shares
(Rule 8.201-E); Currency Trust Shares (Rule 8.202-E); Commodity
Index Trust Shares (Rule 8.203-E); Commodity Futures Trust Shares
(Rule-8.204-E); Partnership Units (Rule 8.300-E); Paired Trust
Shares (Rule-8.400-E);Trust Units (Rule 8.500-E); Managed Fund
Shares (Rule 8.600-E); and Managed Trust Securities (Rule 8.700-E).
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Currently, for an issue of Equity Index-Linked Securities
to qualify for initial listing, each underlying index must have at
least ten component securities. The Exchange would modify this
requirement to reflect no minimum number of index components if one or
more issues of Derivative Securities Products or Index-Linked
Securities constitute, at least in part, component securities
underlying an issue of Equity Index-Linked Securities.\10\
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\10\ See proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(a).
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Currently, for an issue of Equity Index-Linked Securities
to qualify for initial listing, each component security must have a
minimum market value of at least $75 million, except that the market
value for each of the lowest dollar-weighted component securities in
the index that in the aggregate account for no more than 10% of the
dollar weight of the index may be at least $50 million. The Exchange
proposes to exclude Derivative Securities Products and Index-Linked
Securities from those minimum market value requirements, as well as to
exclude from the calculation of the aggregate dollar value of the index
the market value(s) of all components that are Derivative Securities
Products or Index-Linked Securities.\11\
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\11\ See proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(1).
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Currently, for an issue of Equity Index-Linked Securities
to qualify for initial listing, component stocks that in the aggregate
account for at least 90% of the weight of the underlying index each
must have a minimum global monthly trading volume of 1,000,000 shares
or minimum global notional volume traded per month of $25,000,000,
averaged over the last six months. The Exchange proposes to apply those
requirements only to index components that are not Derivative
Securities Products or Index-Linked Securities, and would exclude
components that are Derivative Securities Products or Index-Linked
Securities from the calculation of the index's weight.\12\
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\12\ See proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(2).
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Currently, for an issue of Equity Index-Linked Securities
to qualify for initial listing, no component security may represent
more than 25% of the dollar weight of the index and the five highest
dollar-weighted component securities in the index may not in the
aggregate account for more than 50%, or 60% for an index consisting of
fewer than 25 component securities, of the dollar weight of the
index.\13\ The Exchange proposes to exclude Derivative Securities
Products and Index-Linked Securities from these index concentration
limits and would exclude Derivative Securities Products and Index-
Linked Securities from the dollar value of the index for purposes of
calculating the total dollar value of the index components.\14\
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\13\ Currently, these requirements must also be met whenever the
index is rebalanced. See NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(i).
\14\ See proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(3). As
discussed above, the Exchange also proposes that the index
concentration limit applicable to the five highest dollar-weighted
components would apply only to an index with five or more components
that are not Derivative Securities Products or Index-Linked
Securities. See supra note 7. Further, the Exchange proposes that
these proposed index concentration limits be met whenever the index
is rebalanced. See proposed NYSE Arca Rule-5.2-
E(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(i).
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Currently, for an issue of Equity Index-Linked Securities
to qualify for initial listing, 90% of the underlying index's numerical
value, and at least 80% of the total number of component securities,
must meet the then current criteria for standardized option trading set
forth in NYSE Arca Rule 5.3-O; except that an index will not be subject
to this requirement if (1) no underlying component security represents
more than 10% of the dollar weight of the index, and (2) the index has
a minimum of 20 components. The Exchange proposes to apply this
requirement only to index components that are not Derivative Securities
Products or Index-Linked Securities and, for purposes of this
requirement would exclude all components that are a Derivative
Securities Product or Index-Linked Security from the calculations of
the index's numerical value, total number of components, and dollar
value.\15\
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\15\ See proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(iv).
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Currently, on a continuous basis, component stocks that in
the aggregate account for at least 90% of the weight of the index each
must have a minimum global monthly trading volume of 500,000 shares, or
minimum global notional volume traded per month of $12,500,000,
averaged over the last six months. The Exchange proposes to apply those
requirements only to index components that are not Derivative
Securities Products or Index-Linked Securities, and would exclude
components that are Derivative Securities Products or Index-Linked
Securities from the calculation of the index's total weight.\16\
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\16\ See proposed NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(ii).
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The Exchange also proposes non-substantive changes to the text of
NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(6).
III. Discussion and Commission's Findings
After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule
change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to a national
[[Page 40180]]
securities exchange.\17\ In particular, the Commission finds that the
proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1 thereto, is
consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\18\ 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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\17\ 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).
\18\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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In support of its proposal, the Exchange notes that Derivative
Securities Products are excluded from consideration when determining
whether the components of Units satisfy the applicable listing criteria
in NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3),\19\ and both Derivative Securities
Products and Index-Linked Securities are excluded from the applicable
listing criteria for Managed Fund Shares holding equity securities in
Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E.\20\
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\19\ See Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3). See also
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57751 (May 1, 2008), 73 FR 25818
(May 7, 2008) (SR-NYSEArca-2008-29) (approving amendments to the
eligibility criteria for components of an index underlying
Investment Company Units).
\20\ See Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E. See also
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78397 (July 22, 2016), 81 FR
49320 (July 27, 2016) (SR-NYSEArca-2015-110) (approving the adoption
of generic listing standards for Managed Fund Shares) (``MFS
Order'').
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Specifically, the Exchange states: ``both Derivative Securities
Products and Index-Linked Securities are excluded from the applicable
listing criteria for Managed Fund Shares holding equity securities in
Commentary .01 to Rule 8.600-E.'' \21\ In approving the exclusion of
Derivative Securities Products and Index-Linked Securities from certain
generic listing requirements applicable to Managed Fund Shares, the
Commission stated that such exclusions would not increase the
susceptibility of Managed Fund Shares to manipulation because Index-
Linked Securities and Derivative Securities Products each: (1) Have
asset-exposure concentration limits and requirements promoting price
transparency within their own listing standards; (2) are listed and
traded on national securities exchanges; and (3) provide trading and
price information and other quantitative data for investors and other
market participants.\22\ For these same reasons, the Commission
believes that excluding Derivative Securities Products and Index-Linked
Securities from the same type of generic listing requirements would not
increase the susceptibility of Equity Index-Linked Securities to
manipulation.
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\21\ Amendment No. 1, supra note 7, at 9, text accompanying
n.20.
\22\ See MFS Order, supra note 20, at 49325.
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Additionally, the Exchange represents that it has in place
surveillance procedures that are adequate to properly monitor trading
in Index-Linked Securities in all trading sessions and to deter and
detect violations of Exchange rules and applicable federal securities
laws.
For the foregoing reasons, the Commission finds that the proposed
rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1 thereto, is consistent with
Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \23\ and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.
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\23\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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IV. Solicitation of Comments on Amendment No. 1
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including 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-NYSEArca-2017-54 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-NYSEArca-2017-54. 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-NYSEArca-2017-54 and should
be submitted on or before September 14, 2017.
V. Accelerated Approval of the 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 Amendment No. 1 in the Federal
Register. As noted above, Amendment No. 1 modified proposed NYSE Arca
Rules-5.2-E(j)(6)(B)(I)(1)(b)(iii) and 5.2-E(j)(6)(B)(I)(2)(a)(i) to
provide that the index concentration limit applicable to the five
highest dollar-weighted components would apply only to an index with
five or more components that are not Derivative Securities Products or
Index-Linked Securities. These provisions are consistent with
Commentary .01(a)(1)(C) to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E, and therefore the
Commission finds good cause, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
Act,\24\ to approve the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment
No. 1, on an accelerated basis.
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\24\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
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VI. Conclusion
It Is Therefore Ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
Exchange Act,\25\ that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSEArca-2017-54),
as modified by Amendment No. 1, be, and it hereby is, approved on an
accelerated basis.
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\25\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
\26\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\26\
Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-17920 Filed 8-23-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P