Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE American LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Commentary .02 to Rule 960NY in Order To Extend the Penny Pilot in Options Classes in Certain Issues Through December 31, 2018, 30808-30810 [2018-13979]

Download as PDF 30808 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. 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– DTC–2018–005 on the subject line. Paper Comments sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–DTC–2018–005. 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 DTC and on DTCC’s website (https://dtcc.com/legal/sec-rulefilings.aspx). 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–DTC– 2018–005 and should be submitted on or before July 20, 2018. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jun 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.19 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–13980 Filed 6–28–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–83507; File No. SR– NYSEAMER–2018–33] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE American LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Commentary .02 to Rule 960NY in Order To Extend the Penny Pilot in Options Classes in Certain Issues Through December 31, 2018 June 25, 2018. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that on June 21, 2018, NYSE American LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE American’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. 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 amend Commentary .02 to Rule 960NY in order to extend the Penny Pilot in options classes in certain issues (‘‘Pilot Program’’) previously approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) through December 31, 2018. The Pilot Program is currently scheduled to expire on June 30, 2018. The proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s website at www.nyse.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 self-regulatory organization included 19 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 15 U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 PO 00000 Frm 00126 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 those 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 parts of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange hereby proposes to amend Commentary .02 to Rule 960NY to extend the time period of the Pilot Program,4 which is currently scheduled to expire on June 30, 2018, through December 31, 2018. The Exchange also proposes that the date to replace issues in the Pilot Program that have been delisted be revised to the second trading day following July 1, 2018.5 The Exchange believes that extending the Pilot would allow for further analysis of the Pilot Program and a determination of how the Pilot Program should be structured in the future. This filing does not propose any substantive changes to the Pilot Program: All classes currently participating will remain the same and all minimum increments will remain unchanged. The Exchange believes the benefits to public customers and other market participants who will be able to express their true prices to buy and sell options have been demonstrated to outweigh the increase in quote traffic. 2. Statutory Basis The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’), in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),7 in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82358 (December 19, 2017), 82 FR 61054 (December 26, 2017) (SR–NYSEAMER–2017–38). 5 The month immediately preceding a replacement class’s addition to the Pilot Program (i.e., June) would not be used for purposes of the analysis for determining the replacement class. Thus, a replacement class to be added on the second trading day following July 1, 2018 would be identified based on The Option Clearing Corporation’s trading volume data from December 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018. The Exchange will announce the replacement issues to the Exchange’s membership through a Trader Update. 6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). E:\FR\FM\29JNN1.SGM 29JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and a national market system. In particular, the proposed rule change, which extends the Penny Pilot Program for six months, allows the Exchange to continue to participate in a program that has been viewed as beneficial to traders, investors and public customers and viewed as successful by the other options exchanges participating in it. Accordingly, the Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the Act because it will allow the Exchange to extend the Pilot Program prior to its expiration on June 30, 2018. The Exchange notes that this proposal does not propose any new policies or provisions that are unique or unproven, but instead relates to the continuation of an existing program that operates on a pilot basis. The Exchange believes that the Pilot Program promotes just and equitable principles of trade by enabling public customers and other market participants to express their true prices to buy and sell options to the benefit of all market participants. The proposal to extend the Pilot Program is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and a national market system, by allowing the Exchange and the Commission additional time to analyze the impact of the Pilot Program while also allowing the Exchange to continue to compete for order flow with other exchanges in option issues trading as part of the Pilot Program. 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 that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Specifically, the Exchange believes that, by extending the expiration of the Pilot Program, the proposed rule change will allow for further analysis of the Pilot Program and a determination of how this Program should be structured in the future. In doing so, the proposed rule change will also serve to promote regulatory clarity and consistency, thereby reducing burdens on the marketplace and facilitating investor protection. The Pilot Program is an industry-wide initiative supported by all other option VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jun 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 exchanges. The Exchange believes that extending the Pilot Program will allow for continued competition between Exchange market participants trading similar products as their counterparts on other exchanges, while at the same time allowing the Exchange to continue to compete for order flow with other exchanges in option issues trading as part of the Pilot Program. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 8 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.9 Because the 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 prior to 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 10 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.11 A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 12 normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing.13 However, pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),14 the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Without a waiver of 30-day operative delay, the Exchange’s Pilot Program will expire before the extension of the Pilot Program is operative. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay for the instant filing is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest 8 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6)(iii) requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the Exchange’s intent to file the proposed rule change along with a brief description and the text of 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 pre-filing requirement. 12 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 13 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 14 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 9 17 PO 00000 Frm 00127 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 30809 because doing so will allow the Pilot Program to continue without interruption in a manner that is consistent with the Commission’s prior approval of the extension and expansion of the Pilot Program and will allow the Exchange and the Commission additional time to analyze the impact of the Pilot Program. Accordingly, the Commission designates the proposed rule change as operative upon filing with the Commission.15 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– NYSEAMER–2018–33 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–NYSEAMER–2018–33. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s internet 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 20549–1090 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 15 For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). E:\FR\FM\29JNN1.SGM 29JNN1 30810 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices 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–NYSEAMER–2018–33 and should be submitted on or before July 20, 2018. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.16 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–13979 Filed 6–28–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Data Collection Available for Public Comments 60-Day notice and request for comments. ACTION: The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requires federal agencies to publish a notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information before submitting it to OMB for approval, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. SBA initially published this required notice on April 2, 2018. SBA is republishing the notice to address the two comments it received requesting greater detail on the information to be collected and to provide an additional 60 days for public comment. DATES: Submit comments on or before August 28, 2018. ADDRESSES: Send all comments to Adrienne Grierson, Deputy Director, Office of Credit Risk Management, Small Business Administration, at lender.oversight@sba.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adrienne Grierson, Deputy Director, Office of Credit Risk Management at lender.oversight@sba.gov or 202–205– 6573, or Curtis B. Rich, Management Analyst, 202–205–7030, curtis.rich@ sba.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SBA’s Office of Credit Risk Management (OCRM) is responsible for the oversight and supervision of the SBA operations of approximately 4000 7(a) Lenders, Certified Development Companies (‘‘CDCs’’), and Microloan Intermediaries (‘‘Intermediaries’’), that participate in sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: 16 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jun 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 SBA’s business loan programs and, for enforcement of the applicable rules and regulations. Currently, the agency guarantees more than $90 billion dollars in small business loans through these programs. The information collection described in detail below helps OCRM protect the safety and soundness of the business loan programs and taxpayer dollars. In general, SBA collects information in connection with PARRiS 1 reviews for 7(a) Federally-regulated Lenders, SMART 2 reviews for CDCs, and PARRiS Safety and Soundness Examinations for SBA Supervised Lenders including Small Business Lending Companies (SBLCs) and Non-Federally Regulated Lenders (NFRLs).3 SBA also requests certain information when it conducts Delegated Authority Reviews of 7(a) Lenders and CDCs, and Microloan Intermediary Site Visits. The discussion below identifies the nature of the information to be collected for each type of lender and the related review or examination. In addition, SBA has created separate lists, which are also discussed below, to clearly identify the information to be collected. I. 7(a) Lender and CDC PARRIS and SMART Analytical and Full Reviews and Safety and Soundness Exams A. Common Information Collected For all Analytical Reviews, Full Reviews, and Safety and Soundness examinations 4 of 7(a) lenders and CDCs, as applicable, in general, SBA requests information related to the lender’s or CDC’s management and operation, eligibility of its SBA loans for SBA guaranty, compliance with SBA Loan Program Requirements, credit administration, and performance of its SBA loan portfolio. 1. Management and Operations: The information requested generally includes the SBA program organization chart with responsibilities, business plan, financial and program audits, evidence of lender compliance with 1 PARRiS refers to the specific risk components reviewed for 7(a) Lenders: (i) Portfolio Performance; (ii) Asset Management; (iii) Regulatory Compliance; (iv) Risk Management; and (v) Special Items. 2 SMART refers to the specific risk components reviewed for Certified Development Companies: (i) Solvency and Financial Condition; (ii) Management and Board Governance; (iii) Asset Quality and Servicing; (iv) Regulatory Compliance; and (v) Technical Issues and Mission. 3 SBLCs and NFRLs are defined in 15 U.S.C. 632(r) and 13 CFR 120.10. 4 Safety and Soundness Examinations are only performed on SBA Supervised Lenders in the 7(a) program. SBA Supervised Lenders include SBA licensed Small Business Lending Companies and Non-Federally Regulated Lenders as defined in 13 CFR 120.10. Analytical Reviews and Full Reviews are performed on 7(a) Lenders and CDCs. PO 00000 Frm 00128 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 regulatory orders and agreements (if applicable and as appropriate), and staff training on SBA lending. 2. Eligibility and Credit Administration: In reviewing these areas, SBA primarily requests lender’s or CDC’s policies, loan sample files; independent loan reviews; loan credit scoring and risk rating methodologies; and information on loans approved as exceptions to policy. 3. Compliance with Loan Program Requirements: Here, SBA collects information on services and fees charged for Third-party vendors,5 lender’s FTA 6 trust account, and lender’s use of the System of Awards Management to perform agent due diligence. 4. Portfolio Performance: In considering lender or CDC portfolio performance, SBA requests that lenders provide a listing of loans indicating those past due, those with servicing actions, individual risk ratings, and those in liquidation or purchased for SBA to compare with SBA data. SBA also requests that lenders provide an explanation for risks identified (e.g., identified by high risk metrics or PARRiS flags triggered). Further detail on the information SBA collects in Analytical and Full Reviews and Safety and Soundness Exams is contained in the SBA Supervised Lender Safety and Soundness Examination/Full Review Information Request; 7(a) Lender PARRiS Analytical Review Information Request; CDC SMART Analytical Review Information Request; 7(a) Lender PARRiS Full Review Information Request; and, CDC SMART Full Review Information Request. Each Information Request document is available upon request. B. SBA Supervised Lender Supplemental Information for Safety and Soundness Exams SBA is the primary federal regulator for SBA licensed SBLCs and NFRLs that participate in the 7(a) program.7 5 For purposes of this notice, Third-party vendors include, for example, Loan Agents (e.g., Packagers and Lender Service Providers) and Professional Managers with management contracts. 6 FTA refers to SBA’s Fiscal and Transfer Agent. 7(a) Lenders that sell SBA loans in the Secondary Market are required by the terms of the Form 1086, Secondary Participation Guaranty Agreement, to deposit the guaranteed portion of loan payments in a segregated account for the benefit of investors. 7 SBA Supervised Lenders are a relatively small subset of 7(a) Lenders. 7(a) Lenders include SBA Supervised Lenders and Federally Regulated 7(a) Lenders (i.e., those lenders regulated by the federal bank regulators—Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Farm Credit Administration). E:\FR\FM\29JNN1.SGM 29JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 126 (Friday, June 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30808-30810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13979]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-83507; File No. SR-NYSEAMER-2018-33]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE American LLC; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend 
Commentary .02 to Rule 960NY in Order To Extend the Penny Pilot in 
Options Classes in Certain Issues Through December 31, 2018

June 25, 2018.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (the ``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby 
given that on June 21, 2018, NYSE American LLC (the ``Exchange'' or 
``NYSE American'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I 
and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory 
organization. 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\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend Commentary .02 to Rule 960NY in 
order to extend the Penny Pilot in options classes in certain issues 
(``Pilot Program'') previously approved by the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission'') through December 31, 2018. The Pilot 
Program is currently scheduled to expire on June 30, 2018. The proposed 
rule change is available on the Exchange's website at www.nyse.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 self-regulatory organization 
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 those 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 parts of such statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange hereby proposes to amend Commentary .02 to Rule 960NY 
to extend the time period of the Pilot Program,\4\ which is currently 
scheduled to expire on June 30, 2018, through December 31, 2018. The 
Exchange also proposes that the date to replace issues in the Pilot 
Program that have been delisted be revised to the second trading day 
following July 1, 2018.\5\ The Exchange believes that extending the 
Pilot would allow for further analysis of the Pilot Program and a 
determination of how the Pilot Program should be structured in the 
future.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82358 (December 19, 
2017), 82 FR 61054 (December 26, 2017) (SR-NYSEAMER-2017-38).
    \5\ The month immediately preceding a replacement class's 
addition to the Pilot Program (i.e., June) would not be used for 
purposes of the analysis for determining the replacement class. 
Thus, a replacement class to be added on the second trading day 
following July 1, 2018 would be identified based on The Option 
Clearing Corporation's trading volume data from December 1, 2017 
through May 31, 2018. The Exchange will announce the replacement 
issues to the Exchange's membership through a Trader Update.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This filing does not propose any substantive changes to the Pilot 
Program: All classes currently participating will remain the same and 
all minimum increments will remain unchanged. The Exchange believes the 
benefits to public customers and other market participants who will be 
able to express their true prices to buy and sell options have been 
demonstrated to outweigh the increase in quote traffic.
2. Statutory Basis
    The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) \6\ of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act''), in general, and furthers 
the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),\7\ in particular, in that it is 
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to 
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation 
and coordination with

[[Page 30809]]

persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, and to 
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open 
market and a national market system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In particular, the proposed rule change, which extends the Penny 
Pilot Program for six months, allows the Exchange to continue to 
participate in a program that has been viewed as beneficial to traders, 
investors and public customers and viewed as successful by the other 
options exchanges participating in it. Accordingly, the Exchange 
believes that the proposal is consistent with the Act because it will 
allow the Exchange to extend the Pilot Program prior to its expiration 
on June 30, 2018. The Exchange notes that this proposal does not 
propose any new policies or provisions that are unique or unproven, but 
instead relates to the continuation of an existing program that 
operates on a pilot basis.
    The Exchange believes that the Pilot Program promotes just and 
equitable principles of trade by enabling public customers and other 
market participants to express their true prices to buy and sell 
options to the benefit of all market participants.
    The proposal to extend the Pilot Program is designed to promote 
just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and 
coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in 
securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of 
a free and open market and a national market system, by allowing the 
Exchange and the Commission additional time to analyze the impact of 
the Pilot Program while also allowing the Exchange to continue to 
compete for order flow with other exchanges in option issues trading as 
part of the Pilot Program.

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 that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Specifically, the Exchange 
believes that, by extending the expiration of the Pilot Program, the 
proposed rule change will allow for further analysis of the Pilot 
Program and a determination of how this Program should be structured in 
the future. In doing so, the proposed rule change will also serve to 
promote regulatory clarity and consistency, thereby reducing burdens on 
the marketplace and facilitating investor protection. The Pilot Program 
is an industry-wide initiative supported by all other option exchanges. 
The Exchange believes that extending the Pilot Program will allow for 
continued competition between Exchange market participants trading 
similar products as their counterparts on other exchanges, while at the 
same time allowing the Exchange to continue to compete for order flow 
with other exchanges in option issues trading as part of the Pilot 
Program.

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

    No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the 
proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \8\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\9\ 
Because the 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 prior to 
30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as 
the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \10\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \9\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 
requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the 
Exchange's intent to file the proposed rule change along with a 
brief description and the text of 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 pre-filing requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \12\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the 
filing.\13\ However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\14\ the 
Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent 
with the protection of investors and the public interest. Without a 
waiver of 30-day operative delay, the Exchange's Pilot Program will 
expire before the extension of the Pilot Program is operative. The 
Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay for the 
instant filing is consistent with the protection of investors and the 
public interest because doing so will allow the Pilot Program to 
continue without interruption in a manner that is consistent with the 
Commission's prior approval of the extension and expansion of the Pilot 
Program and will allow the Exchange and the Commission additional time 
to analyze the impact of the Pilot Program. Accordingly, the Commission 
designates the proposed rule change as operative upon filing with the 
Commission.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \15\ For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this 
proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact 
on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-NYSEAMER-2018-33 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-NYSEAMER-2018-33. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's internet 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 
20549-1090 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

[[Page 30810]]

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-NYSEAMER-2018-33 and should 
be submitted on or before July 20, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\16\
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    \16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-13979 Filed 6-28-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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