Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Expand the Short Term Option Series Program, 7245-7248 [2018-03312]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 20, 2018 / Notices Makers have quoting obligations 16 and are more sensitive to price movements as compared to other market participants. GEMX Market Makers need to remain vigilant of market conditions and react more quickly to market movements as compared to other Members entering multiple orders into the system. The proposal reflects this sensitivity borne by GEMX Market Makers and reflects the reaction time of GEMX Market Makers as compared to other Members entering orders. With respect to other market participants that enter orders, they have the option of selecting either OTTO or FIX and therefore are able to obtain a shortened timeframe with OTTO if they desire. Offering the removal feature to other market participants on an optional basis does not create an undue burden on intra-market competition because unlike GEMX Market Makers, other market participants do not bear the same risks of potential erroneous or unintended executions. FIX and OTTO users have the opportunity to disable the cancellation feature and simply disconnect from the Exchange. FIX and OTTO users may also set a timeframe that is appropriate for their business. It is appropriate to offer this optional cancellation functionality to other market participants for open orders, because those orders are subject to risks of missed and/or unintended executions due to a lack of connectivity which the participants needs to weigh. Finally, the Exchange does not believe that such change will impose any burden on intermarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Other options exchanges offer similar functionality.17 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. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 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 16 See note 11 above. Phlx Rule 1019(c), NOM Rules at Chapter VI, Section 6(e) and BX Rules at Chapter VI, Section 6(e). 17 See VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Feb 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 18 and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder.19 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the protection of investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: 7245 available for website 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. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–GEMX–2018–05, and should be submitted on or before March 13, 2018. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.20 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. Electronic Comments [FR Doc. 2018–03307 Filed 2–16–18; 8:45 am] • 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– GEMX–2018–05 on the subject line. BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 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–GEMX–2018–05. 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 website (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 18 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this requirement. 19 17 PO 00000 Frm 00110 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–82704; File No. SR–BX– 2018–008] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Expand the Short Term Option Series Program February 13, 2018. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on February 8, 2018, Nasdaq BX, Inc. (‘‘BX’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to expand the Short Term Option Series Program to allow Monday expirations for options listed pursuant to the Short Term Option Series Program, including 20 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\20FEN1.SGM 20FEN1 7246 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 20, 2018 / Notices options on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s website at https://nasdaqbx.cchwallstreet.com/, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the 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. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to amend the BX rules at Chapter I, Section 1 and Chapter IV, Section 6 at Commentary .07 to expand the Short Term Option Series program (‘‘Program’’) to permit the listing and trading of options series with Monday expirations that are listed pursuant to the Program, including options on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (‘‘SPY’’). The Exchange notes that having Monday expirations is not a novel proposal. Specifically, Nasdaq PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’) recently received approval to list Monday expirations for SPY options pursuant to its Short Terms Options Series program.3 As set forth in Chapter I, Section 1(a)(60), a Short Term Option Series is a series in an option class that is approved for listing and trading on the Exchange in which the series is opened for trading on any Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is a business day and that expires on the Wednesday or Friday of the next business week. The Exchange is now proposing to amend Chapter I, Section 1(a)(60) to permit the listing of options series that expire on Mondays. Specifically, the Exchange is proposing that it may open for trading series of options on any Monday that is a business day and that expires on the Monday of the next business week. The 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82611 (February 1, 2018), 83 FR 5473 (February 7, 2018) (SR–Phlx–2017–103). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Feb 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 Exchange is also proposing to list Monday expirations series on Fridays that precede the expiration Monday by one business week plus one business day. Since Chapter I, Section 1(a)(60) already provides for the listing of short term option series on Fridays, the Exchange is not modifying this provision to allow for Friday listing of Monday expiration series. However, the Exchange is amending Chapter I, Section 1(a)(60) to clarify that, in the case of a series that is listed on a Friday and expires on a Monday, that series must be listed one business week and one business day prior to that expiration (i.e., two Fridays prior to expiration). As part of this proposal, the Exchange is also amending Chapter I, Section 1(a)(60) to address the expiration of Monday expiration series when the Monday is not a business day. In that case, the rule will provide that the series shall expire on the first business day immediately following that Monday. This procedure differs from the expiration date of Wednesday expiration series that are scheduled to expire on a holiday. In that case, the Wednesday expiration series shall expire on the first business day immediately prior to that Wednesday, e.g., Tuesday of that week.4 However, the Exchange believes that it is preferable to require Monday expiration series in this scenario to expire on the Tuesday of that week rather than the previous business day, e.g., the previous Friday, since the Tuesday is closer in time to the scheduled expiration date of the series than the previous Friday, and therefore may be more representative of anticipated market conditions. The Exchange notes that this provision is identical to the corresponding provision recently adopted by Phlx in its proposal to list options series with Monday expirations pursuant to its Short Term Option Series program. The Exchange also notes that Cboe Exchange, Inc. (‘‘Cboe’’) uses the same procedure for options on the S&P 500 index (‘‘SPX’’) with Monday expirations that listed pursuant to its Nonstandard Expirations Pilot Program and that are scheduled to expire on a holiday.5 The Exchange also proposes to make corresponding changes to Commentary .07 to Chapter IV, Section 6, which sets forth the requirements for SPY options 4 See Chapter I, Section 1(a)(60). CBOE Rule 24.9(e)(1) (‘‘If the Exchange is not open for business on a respective Monday, the normally Monday expiring Weekly Expirations will expire on the following business day. If the Exchange is not open for business on a respective Wednesday or Friday, the normally Wednesday or Friday expiring Weekly Expirations will expire on the previous business day.’’) 5 See PO 00000 Frm 00111 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 that are listed pursuant to the Short Term Options Series Program, to permit Monday SPY expirations (‘‘Monday SPY Expirations’’). Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to amend Commentary .07 to state that, with respect to Monday SPY Expirations, the Exchange may open for trading on any Friday or Monday that is a business day series of options on the SPY to expire on any Monday of the month that is a business day and is not a Monday in which Quarterly Options Series expire, provided that Monday SPY Expirations that are listed on a Friday must be listed at least one business week and one business day prior to the expiration. As with the current rules for Wednesday SPY Expirations, the Exchange will also amend Commentary .07 to state that it may list up to five consecutive Monday SPY Expirations at one time, and may have no more than a total of five Monday SPY Expirations (in addition to a maximum of five Short Term Option Series expirations for SPY expiring on Friday and five Wednesday SPY Expirations). The Exchange will also clarify that, as with Wednesday SPY Expirations, Monday SPY Expirations will be subject to the provisions of this Rule. The interval between strike prices for the proposed Monday SPY Expirations will be the same as those for the current Short Term Option Series for Wednesday and Friday SPY Expirations. Specifically, the Monday SPY Expirations will have a $0.50 strike interval minimum. As is the case with other options series listed pursuant to the Short Term Option Series, the Monday SPY Expiration series will be P.M.-settled. Currently, for each option class eligible for participation in the Program, the Exchange is limited to opening thirty (30) series for each expiration date for the specific class. The thirty (30) series restriction does not include series that are open by other securities exchanges under their respective short term option rules; the Exchange may list these additional series that are listed by other exchanges.6 This thirty (30) series restriction shall apply to Monday SPY Expiration series as well. In addition, the Exchange will be able to list series that are listed by other exchanges, assuming they file similar rules with the Commission to list SPY options expiring on Mondays. Finally, the Exchange is amending Commentary .07(b) to Chapter IV, Section 6, which addresses the listing of Short Term Options Series that expire in the same week as monthly or quarterly 6 See E:\FR\FM\20FEN1.SGM Chapter IV, Section 6 at Commentary .07(a). 20FEN1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 20, 2018 / Notices options series. Currently, that rule states that no Short Term Option Series may expire in the same week in which monthly option series on the same class expire (with the exception of Wednesday SPY Expirations) or, in the case of Quarterly Options Series, on an expiration that coincides with an expiration of Quarterly Option Series on the same class. The Exchange is proposing to extend this exemption to Monday SPY Expirations. As with Wednesday SPY Expirations, the Exchange believes that it is reasonable to extend this exemption to Monday SPY Expirations because Monday SPY Expirations and standard monthly options will not expire on the same trading day, as standard monthly options expire on Fridays. Additionally, the Exchange believes that not listing Monday SPY Expirations for one week every month because there was a monthly SPY expiration on the Friday of that week would create investor confusion. As part of this proposal, the Exchange is amending Commentary .07(b) to Chapter IV, Section 6 to clarify that Monday and Wednesday SPY Expirations may expire in the same week as monthly option series in the same class expire, but that no Short Term Option Series may expire on the same day as an expiration of Quarterly Option Series on the same class. The Exchange does not believe that any market disruptions will be encountered with the introduction of P.M.-settled Monday expirations. The Exchange has the necessary capacity and surveillance programs in place to support and properly monitor trading in the proposed Monday expiration series, including Monday SPY Expirations. The Exchange currently trades P.M.-settled Short Term Option Series that expire almost every Wednesday and Friday, which provide market participants a tool to hedge special events and to reduce the premium cost of buying protection. The Exchange notes that it has been listing Wednesday expirations pursuant to Chapter I, Section 1 and Chapter IV, Section 6 since 2016.7 With the exception of Monday expiration series that are scheduled to expire on a holiday, the Exchange does not believe that there are any material differences between Monday expirations and Wednesday or Friday expirations for Short Term Option Series. The Exchange seeks to introduce Monday expirations to, among other things, expand hedging tools available to market participants and to continue 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78694 (August 26, 2016), 81 FR 60049 (August 31, 2016) (SR–BX–2016–047). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Feb 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 the reduction of the premium cost of buying protection. The Exchange believes that Monday expirations, similar to Wednesday and Friday expirations, will allow market participants to purchase an option based on their timing as needed and allow them to tailor their investment and hedging needs more effectively. As noted above, Phlx recently received approval to list Monday expirations for SPY options pursuant to its Short Terms Options program. In addition, other exchanges currently permit Monday expirations for other options. For example, Cboe lists options on the SPX with a Monday expiration as part of its Nonstandard Expirations Pilot Program.8 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,9 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,10 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. In particular, the Exchange believes the Short Term Option Series Program has been successful to date and that Monday expirations, including Monday SPY Expirations, simply expand the ability of investors to hedge risk against market movements stemming from economic releases or market events that occur throughout the month in the same way that the Short Term Option Series Program has expanded the landscape of hedging. Similarly, the Exchange believes Monday expirations, including Monday SPY Expirations, should create greater trading and hedging opportunities and flexibility, and will provide customers with the ability to tailor their investment objectives more effectively. As noted above, Phlx recently received approval to list Monday expirations for SPY options pursuant to its Short Terms Options program. In addition, Cboe currently permits Monday expirations for other options with a weekly expiration, such as options on the SPX. With the exception of Monday expiration series that are scheduled to expire on a holiday, the Exchange does 8 See CBOE Rule 24.9(e)(1) (‘‘The Exchange may open for trading Weekly Expirations on any broadbased index eligible for standard options trading to expire on any Monday, Wednesday, or Friday (other than the third Friday-of-the-month or days that coincide with an EOM expiration.)’’). 9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). PO 00000 Frm 00112 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 7247 not believe that there are any material differences between Monday expirations, including Monday SPY expirations, and Wednesday or Friday expirations, including Wednesday and Friday SPY Expirations, for Short Term Option Series. The Exchange notes that it has been listing Wednesday expirations pursuant to Chapter I, Section 1 and Chapter IV, Section 6 since 2016. The Exchange believes that it is consistent with the Act to treat Monday expiration series that expire on a holiday differently than Wednesday or Friday expiration series, since the proposed treatment for Monday expiration series will result in an expiration date that is closer in time to the scheduled expiration date of the series, and therefore may be more representative of anticipated market conditions. The Exchange also notes that Cboe uses the same procedure for SPX options with Monday expirations that are listed pursuant to its Nonstandard Expirations Pilot Program and that are scheduled to expire on a holiday. Given the similarities between Monday SPY Expiration series and Wednesday and Friday SPY Expiration series, the Exchange believes that applying the provisions in Commentary .07 to Chapter IV, Section 6 that currently apply to Wednesday SPY Expirations to Monday SPY Expirations is justified. For example, the Exchange believes that allowing Monday SPY Expirations and monthly SPY expirations in the same week will benefit investors and minimize investor confusion by providing Monday SPY Expirations in a continuous and uniform manner. The Exchange also believes that is appropriate to amend Commentary .07(b) to Chapter IV, Section 6 to clarify that no Short Term Option Series may expire on the same day as an expiration of Quarterly Option Series on the same class. This change will make that provision more consistent with the existing language in Commentary .07 that prohibits Wednesday SPY Expirations from expiring on a Wednesday in which Quarterly Options Series expire. Finally, the Exchange represents that it has an adequate surveillance program in place to detect manipulative trading in Monday expirations, including Monday SPY Expirations, in the same way that it monitors trading in the current Short Term Option Series. The Exchange also represents that it has the necessary systems capacity to support the new options series. E:\FR\FM\20FEN1.SGM 20FEN1 7248 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 20, 2018 / Notices 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 Exchange notes that having Monday expirations is not a novel proposal, as Phlx has received approval to list Monday expirations for SPY options, and Cboe currently lists and trades short-term SPX options with a Monday expiration. The Exchange does not believe the proposal will impose any burden on intra-market competition, as all market participants will be treated in the same manner under this proposal. Additionally, the Exchange does not believe the proposal will impose any burden on inter-market competition, as nothing prevents the other options exchanges from proposing similar rules to list and trade short-term options series with Monday expirations. 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. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 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, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 11 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.12 A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally does not become operative for 30 days from the date of filing. However, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6)(iii) 13 permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative 11 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its intention to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this requirement. 13 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 12 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Feb 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 immediately upon filing. The Commission notes that it recently approved Phlx’s substantially similar proposal to list and trade Monday SPY Expirations.14 The Exchange has stated that waiver of the operative delay will allow the Exchange to list and trade Monday SPY Expirations as soon as possible, and therefore, promote competition among the option exchanges. For these reasons, the Commission believes that the proposed rule change presents no novel issues and that waiver of the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, and will allow the Exchange to remain competitive with other exchanges. Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposal effective upon filing.15 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– BX–2018–008 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BX–2018–008. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your 14 See supra note 3. purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has also considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 15 For PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s internet website (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 website 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. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BX–2018–008 and should be submitted on or before March 13, 2018. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.16 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–03312 Filed 2–16–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–82700; File No. SR–ISE– 2018–13] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Expand the Short Term Option Series Program February 13, 2018. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that, on February 7, 2018, Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in 16 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\20FEN1.SGM 20FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7245-7248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03312]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-82704; File No. SR-BX-2018-008]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Expand the Short 
Term Option Series Program

February 13, 2018.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on February 8, 2018, Nasdaq BX, Inc. (``BX'' or ``Exchange'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items 
have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this 
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested 
persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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 expand the Short Term Option Series 
Program to allow Monday expirations for options listed pursuant to the 
Short Term Option Series Program, including

[[Page 7246]]

options on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at https://nasdaqbx.cchwallstreet.com/, at the principal office 
of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend the BX rules at Chapter I, Section 1 
and Chapter IV, Section 6 at Commentary .07 to expand the Short Term 
Option Series program (``Program'') to permit the listing and trading 
of options series with Monday expirations that are listed pursuant to 
the Program, including options on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (``SPY'').
    The Exchange notes that having Monday expirations is not a novel 
proposal. Specifically, Nasdaq PHLX LLC (``Phlx'') recently received 
approval to list Monday expirations for SPY options pursuant to its 
Short Terms Options Series program.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82611 (February 1, 
2018), 83 FR 5473 (February 7, 2018) (SR-Phlx-2017-103).
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    As set forth in Chapter I, Section 1(a)(60), a Short Term Option 
Series is a series in an option class that is approved for listing and 
trading on the Exchange in which the series is opened for trading on 
any Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is a business day and 
that expires on the Wednesday or Friday of the next business week. The 
Exchange is now proposing to amend Chapter I, Section 1(a)(60) to 
permit the listing of options series that expire on Mondays. 
Specifically, the Exchange is proposing that it may open for trading 
series of options on any Monday that is a business day and that expires 
on the Monday of the next business week. The Exchange is also proposing 
to list Monday expirations series on Fridays that precede the 
expiration Monday by one business week plus one business day. Since 
Chapter I, Section 1(a)(60) already provides for the listing of short 
term option series on Fridays, the Exchange is not modifying this 
provision to allow for Friday listing of Monday expiration series. 
However, the Exchange is amending Chapter I, Section 1(a)(60) to 
clarify that, in the case of a series that is listed on a Friday and 
expires on a Monday, that series must be listed one business week and 
one business day prior to that expiration (i.e., two Fridays prior to 
expiration).
    As part of this proposal, the Exchange is also amending Chapter I, 
Section 1(a)(60) to address the expiration of Monday expiration series 
when the Monday is not a business day. In that case, the rule will 
provide that the series shall expire on the first business day 
immediately following that Monday. This procedure differs from the 
expiration date of Wednesday expiration series that are scheduled to 
expire on a holiday. In that case, the Wednesday expiration series 
shall expire on the first business day immediately prior to that 
Wednesday, e.g., Tuesday of that week.\4\ However, the Exchange 
believes that it is preferable to require Monday expiration series in 
this scenario to expire on the Tuesday of that week rather than the 
previous business day, e.g., the previous Friday, since the Tuesday is 
closer in time to the scheduled expiration date of the series than the 
previous Friday, and therefore may be more representative of 
anticipated market conditions. The Exchange notes that this provision 
is identical to the corresponding provision recently adopted by Phlx in 
its proposal to list options series with Monday expirations pursuant to 
its Short Term Option Series program. The Exchange also notes that Cboe 
Exchange, Inc. (``Cboe'') uses the same procedure for options on the 
S&P 500 index (``SPX'') with Monday expirations that listed pursuant to 
its Nonstandard Expirations Pilot Program and that are scheduled to 
expire on a holiday.\5\
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    \4\ See Chapter I, Section 1(a)(60).
    \5\ See CBOE Rule 24.9(e)(1) (``If the Exchange is not open for 
business on a respective Monday, the normally Monday expiring Weekly 
Expirations will expire on the following business day. If the 
Exchange is not open for business on a respective Wednesday or 
Friday, the normally Wednesday or Friday expiring Weekly Expirations 
will expire on the previous business day.'')
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    The Exchange also proposes to make corresponding changes to 
Commentary .07 to Chapter IV, Section 6, which sets forth the 
requirements for SPY options that are listed pursuant to the Short Term 
Options Series Program, to permit Monday SPY expirations (``Monday SPY 
Expirations''). Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to amend Commentary 
.07 to state that, with respect to Monday SPY Expirations, the Exchange 
may open for trading on any Friday or Monday that is a business day 
series of options on the SPY to expire on any Monday of the month that 
is a business day and is not a Monday in which Quarterly Options Series 
expire, provided that Monday SPY Expirations that are listed on a 
Friday must be listed at least one business week and one business day 
prior to the expiration. As with the current rules for Wednesday SPY 
Expirations, the Exchange will also amend Commentary .07 to state that 
it may list up to five consecutive Monday SPY Expirations at one time, 
and may have no more than a total of five Monday SPY Expirations (in 
addition to a maximum of five Short Term Option Series expirations for 
SPY expiring on Friday and five Wednesday SPY Expirations). The 
Exchange will also clarify that, as with Wednesday SPY Expirations, 
Monday SPY Expirations will be subject to the provisions of this Rule.
    The interval between strike prices for the proposed Monday SPY 
Expirations will be the same as those for the current Short Term Option 
Series for Wednesday and Friday SPY Expirations. Specifically, the 
Monday SPY Expirations will have a $0.50 strike interval minimum. As is 
the case with other options series listed pursuant to the Short Term 
Option Series, the Monday SPY Expiration series will be P.M.-settled.
    Currently, for each option class eligible for participation in the 
Program, the Exchange is limited to opening thirty (30) series for each 
expiration date for the specific class. The thirty (30) series 
restriction does not include series that are open by other securities 
exchanges under their respective short term option rules; the Exchange 
may list these additional series that are listed by other exchanges.\6\ 
This thirty (30) series restriction shall apply to Monday SPY 
Expiration series as well. In addition, the Exchange will be able to 
list series that are listed by other exchanges, assuming they file 
similar rules with the Commission to list SPY options expiring on 
Mondays.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See Chapter IV, Section 6 at Commentary .07(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, the Exchange is amending Commentary .07(b) to Chapter IV, 
Section 6, which addresses the listing of Short Term Options Series 
that expire in the same week as monthly or quarterly

[[Page 7247]]

options series. Currently, that rule states that no Short Term Option 
Series may expire in the same week in which monthly option series on 
the same class expire (with the exception of Wednesday SPY Expirations) 
or, in the case of Quarterly Options Series, on an expiration that 
coincides with an expiration of Quarterly Option Series on the same 
class. The Exchange is proposing to extend this exemption to Monday SPY 
Expirations. As with Wednesday SPY Expirations, the Exchange believes 
that it is reasonable to extend this exemption to Monday SPY 
Expirations because Monday SPY Expirations and standard monthly options 
will not expire on the same trading day, as standard monthly options 
expire on Fridays. Additionally, the Exchange believes that not listing 
Monday SPY Expirations for one week every month because there was a 
monthly SPY expiration on the Friday of that week would create investor 
confusion. As part of this proposal, the Exchange is amending 
Commentary .07(b) to Chapter IV, Section 6 to clarify that Monday and 
Wednesday SPY Expirations may expire in the same week as monthly option 
series in the same class expire, but that no Short Term Option Series 
may expire on the same day as an expiration of Quarterly Option Series 
on the same class.
    The Exchange does not believe that any market disruptions will be 
encountered with the introduction of P.M.-settled Monday expirations. 
The Exchange has the necessary capacity and surveillance programs in 
place to support and properly monitor trading in the proposed Monday 
expiration series, including Monday SPY Expirations. The Exchange 
currently trades P.M.-settled Short Term Option Series that expire 
almost every Wednesday and Friday, which provide market participants a 
tool to hedge special events and to reduce the premium cost of buying 
protection. The Exchange notes that it has been listing Wednesday 
expirations pursuant to Chapter I, Section 1 and Chapter IV, Section 6 
since 2016.\7\ With the exception of Monday expiration series that are 
scheduled to expire on a holiday, the Exchange does not believe that 
there are any material differences between Monday expirations and 
Wednesday or Friday expirations for Short Term Option Series.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78694 (August 26, 
2016), 81 FR 60049 (August 31, 2016) (SR-BX-2016-047).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange seeks to introduce Monday expirations to, among other 
things, expand hedging tools available to market participants and to 
continue the reduction of the premium cost of buying protection. The 
Exchange believes that Monday expirations, similar to Wednesday and 
Friday expirations, will allow market participants to purchase an 
option based on their timing as needed and allow them to tailor their 
investment and hedging needs more effectively.
    As noted above, Phlx recently received approval to list Monday 
expirations for SPY options pursuant to its Short Terms Options 
program. In addition, other exchanges currently permit Monday 
expirations for other options. For example, Cboe lists options on the 
SPX with a Monday expiration as part of its Nonstandard Expirations 
Pilot Program.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See CBOE Rule 24.9(e)(1) (``The Exchange may open for 
trading Weekly Expirations on any broad-based index eligible for 
standard options trading to expire on any Monday, Wednesday, or 
Friday (other than the third Friday-of-the-month or days that 
coincide with an EOM expiration.)'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\9\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act,\10\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In particular, the Exchange believes the Short Term Option Series 
Program has been successful to date and that Monday expirations, 
including Monday SPY Expirations, simply expand the ability of 
investors to hedge risk against market movements stemming from economic 
releases or market events that occur throughout the month in the same 
way that the Short Term Option Series Program has expanded the 
landscape of hedging. Similarly, the Exchange believes Monday 
expirations, including Monday SPY Expirations, should create greater 
trading and hedging opportunities and flexibility, and will provide 
customers with the ability to tailor their investment objectives more 
effectively. As noted above, Phlx recently received approval to list 
Monday expirations for SPY options pursuant to its Short Terms Options 
program. In addition, Cboe currently permits Monday expirations for 
other options with a weekly expiration, such as options on the SPX.
    With the exception of Monday expiration series that are scheduled 
to expire on a holiday, the Exchange does not believe that there are 
any material differences between Monday expirations, including Monday 
SPY expirations, and Wednesday or Friday expirations, including 
Wednesday and Friday SPY Expirations, for Short Term Option Series. The 
Exchange notes that it has been listing Wednesday expirations pursuant 
to Chapter I, Section 1 and Chapter IV, Section 6 since 2016. The 
Exchange believes that it is consistent with the Act to treat Monday 
expiration series that expire on a holiday differently than Wednesday 
or Friday expiration series, since the proposed treatment for Monday 
expiration series will result in an expiration date that is closer in 
time to the scheduled expiration date of the series, and therefore may 
be more representative of anticipated market conditions. The Exchange 
also notes that Cboe uses the same procedure for SPX options with 
Monday expirations that are listed pursuant to its Nonstandard 
Expirations Pilot Program and that are scheduled to expire on a 
holiday.
    Given the similarities between Monday SPY Expiration series and 
Wednesday and Friday SPY Expiration series, the Exchange believes that 
applying the provisions in Commentary .07 to Chapter IV, Section 6 that 
currently apply to Wednesday SPY Expirations to Monday SPY Expirations 
is justified. For example, the Exchange believes that allowing Monday 
SPY Expirations and monthly SPY expirations in the same week will 
benefit investors and minimize investor confusion by providing Monday 
SPY Expirations in a continuous and uniform manner. The Exchange also 
believes that is appropriate to amend Commentary .07(b) to Chapter IV, 
Section 6 to clarify that no Short Term Option Series may expire on the 
same day as an expiration of Quarterly Option Series on the same class. 
This change will make that provision more consistent with the existing 
language in Commentary .07 that prohibits Wednesday SPY Expirations 
from expiring on a Wednesday in which Quarterly Options Series expire.
    Finally, the Exchange represents that it has an adequate 
surveillance program in place to detect manipulative trading in Monday 
expirations, including Monday SPY Expirations, in the same way that it 
monitors trading in the current Short Term Option Series. The Exchange 
also represents that it has the necessary systems capacity to support 
the new options series.

[[Page 7248]]

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 Exchange notes that having 
Monday expirations is not a novel proposal, as Phlx has received 
approval to list Monday expirations for SPY options, and Cboe currently 
lists and trades short-term SPX options with a Monday expiration. The 
Exchange does not believe the proposal will impose any burden on intra-
market competition, as all market participants will be treated in the 
same manner under this proposal. Additionally, the Exchange does not 
believe the proposal will impose any burden on inter-market 
competition, as nothing prevents the other options exchanges from 
proposing similar rules to list and trade short-term options series 
with Monday expirations.

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, the proposed rule 
change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the 
Act \11\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\12\
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    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission 
written notice of its intention to file the proposed rule change at 
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed 
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. 
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does 
not become operative for 30 days from the date of filing. However, Rule 
19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \13\ permits the Commission to designate a shorter 
time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and 
the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 
30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative 
immediately upon filing. The Commission notes that it recently approved 
Phlx's substantially similar proposal to list and trade Monday SPY 
Expirations.\14\ The Exchange has stated that waiver of the operative 
delay will allow the Exchange to list and trade Monday SPY Expirations 
as soon as possible, and therefore, promote competition among the 
option exchanges. For these reasons, the Commission believes that the 
proposed rule change presents no novel issues and that waiver of the 
30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors 
and the public interest, and will allow the Exchange to remain 
competitive with other exchanges. Therefore, the Commission hereby 
waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposal effective 
upon filing.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \14\ See supra note 3.
    \15\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR- BX-2018-008 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BX-2018-008. 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 website (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 website 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. Persons submitting comments are 
cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying 
information from comment submissions. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions 
should refer to File Number SR-BX-2018-008 and should be submitted on 
or before March 13, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-03312 Filed 2-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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