Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq Phlx LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Exchange's Penny Pilot Program, 31227-31229 [2018-14291]

Download as PDF 31227 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 128 / Tuesday, July 3, 2018 / Notices operational requirements mentioned above. (C) Clearing Agency’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others DTC has not received or solicited any written comments relating to this proposal. DTC will notify the Commission of any written comments received by DTC. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change, and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder. 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. 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: sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 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–2018–002 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–DTC–2018–002. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Jul 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 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– 2018–002 and should be submitted on or before July 24, 2018. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.27 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–14298 Filed 7–2–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–83530; File No. SR–Phlx– 2018–50] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq Phlx LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Exchange’s Penny Pilot Program June 28, 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 June 25, 2018, Nasdaq Phlx LLC (‘‘Phlx’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. PO 00000 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 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 Phlx Rule 1034 (Minimum Increments) 3 to extend through December 31, 2018 or the date of permanent approval, if earlier, the Penny Pilot Program in options classes in certain issues (‘‘Penny Pilot’’ or ‘‘Pilot’’), and to change the date when delisted classes may be replaced in the Penny Pilot. The text of the proposed rule change is set forth below. Proposed new language is italicized and proposed deleted language is in brackets. * * * * * Nasdaq PHLX Rules Options Rules * * * * * Rule 1034. Minimum Increments (a) Except as provided in subparagraphs (i)(B) and (iii) below, all options on stocks, index options, and Exchange Traded Fund Shares quoting in decimals at $3.00 or higher shall have a minimum increment of $.10, and all options on stocks and index options quoting in decimals under $3.00 shall have a minimum increment of $.05. (i)(A) No Change. (B) For a pilot period scheduled to expire [June 30, 2018]December 31, 2018 or the date of permanent approval, if earlier (the ‘‘pilot’’), certain options shall be quoted and traded on the Exchange in minimum increments of $0.01 for all series in such options with a price of less than $3.00, and in minimum increments of $0.05 for all series in such options with a price of $3.00 or higher, except that options overlying the PowerShares QQQ Trust (‘‘QQQQ’’)®, SPDR S&P 500 Exchange Traded Funds (‘‘SPY’’), and iShares Russell 2000 Index Funds (‘‘IWM’’) shall be quoted and traded in minimum increments of $0.01 for all series regardless of the price. A list of such options shall be communicated to membership via an Options Trader Alert (‘‘OTA’’) posted on the Exchange’s website. The Exchange may replace any pilot issues that have been delisted with the next most actively traded multiply listed options classes that are not yet included in the pilot, based on trading activity in the previous six months. The replacement issues may be added to the pilot on the second trading day following [January 1, 2018]July 1, 2018. (C) No Change. 27 17 1 15 Frm 00111 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3 References herein to rules refer to rules of Phlx, unless otherwise noted. E:\FR\FM\03JYN1.SGM 03JYN1 31228 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 128 / Tuesday, July 3, 2018 / Notices (ii)–(v) No Change. * * * * The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the Exchange’s website at https:// nasdaqomxphlx.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 purpose of this filing is to amend Phlx Rule 1034 to extend the Penny Pilot through December 31, 2018 or the date of permanent approval, if earlier,4 and to change the date when delisted classes may be replaced in the Penny Pilot. The Exchange believes that extending the Penny Pilot will allow for further analysis of the Penny Pilot and a determination of how the program should be structured in the future. Under the Penny Pilot, the minimum price variation for all participating options classes, except for the Nasdaq100 Index Tracking Stock (‘‘QQQQ’’), the SPDR S&P 500 Exchange Traded Fund (‘‘SPY’’) and the iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund (‘‘IWM’’), is $0.01 for all quotations in options series that are quoted at less than $3 per contract and $0.05 for all quotations in options series that are quoted at $3 per contract or greater. QQQQ, SPY and IWM are quoted in $0.01 increments for all options series. The Penny Pilot is currently scheduled to expire on June 30, 2018.5 The Exchange proposes to extend the time period of the Penny Pilot through 4 The options exchanges in the U.S. that have pilot programs similar to the Penny Pilot (together ‘‘pilot programs’’) are currently working on a proposal for permanent approval of the respective pilot programs. 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82370 (December 20, 2017), 82 FR 61351 (December 27, 2017) (SR–Phlx–2017–104). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Jul 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 December 31, 2018 or the date of permanent approval, if earlier, and to provide a revised date for adding replacement issues to the Penny Pilot. The Exchange proposes that any Penny Pilot Program issues that have been delisted may be replaced on the second trading day following July 1, 2018. The replacement issues will be selected based on trading activity in the previous six months.6 This filing does not propose any substantive changes to the Penny Pilot Program; all classes currently participating in the Penny Pilot 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 potential increase in quote traffic. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,7 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,8 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 persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, and 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 proposed rule change, which extends the Penny Pilot for an additional six months through December 31, 2018 or the date of permanent approval, if earlier, and changes the date for replacing Penny Pilot issues that were delisted to the second trading day following July 1, 2018, will enable public customers and other market participants to express their true prices to buy and sell options for the benefit of all market participants. This is consistent with the Act. 6 The replacement issues will be announced to the Exchange’s membership via an Options Trader Alert (OTA) posted on the Exchange’s website. Penny Pilot replacement issues will be selected based on trading activity in the previous six months, as is the case today. The replacement issues would be identified based on The Options Clearing Corporation’s trading volume data. For example, for the July replacement, trading volume from December 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018 would be analyzed. The month immediately preceding the replacement issues’ addition to the Pilot Program (i.e., June) would not be used for purposes of the six-month analysis. 7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). PO 00000 Frm 00112 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. To the contrary, this proposal is procompetitive because it allows Penny Pilot issues to continue trading on the Exchange. Moreover, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will allow for further analysis of the Pilot and a determination of how the Pilot should be structured in the future; and will serve to promote regulatory clarity and consistency, thereby reducing burdens on the marketplace and facilitating investor protection. The Pilot is an industry-wide initiative supported by all other option exchanges. The Exchange believes that extending the Pilot will allow for continued competition between market participants on the Exchange 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. 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 The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 9 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.10 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 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder. A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 11 normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after 9 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 10 17 E:\FR\FM\03JYN1.SGM 03JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 128 / Tuesday, July 3, 2018 / Notices the date of the filing.12 However, pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),13 the Commission may 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 believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay 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.14 Accordingly, the Commission designates the proposed rule change as operative upon filing with the Commission.15 At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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 under Section 19(b)(2)(B) 16 of the Act to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 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: 12 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. 13 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 14 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61061 (November 24, 2009), 74 FR 62857 (December 1, 2009) (SR–NYSEArca–2009–44). 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). 16 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Jul 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– Phlx–2018–50 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–Phlx–2018–50. 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–Phlx–2018–50 and should be submitted on or before July 24, 2018. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.17 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–14291 Filed 7–2–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P PO 00000 17 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 31229 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–83536; File No. SR– CboeBYX–2018–009] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BYX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Rule 11.9, Orders and Modifiers June 28, 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 June 18, 2018, Cboe BYX Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BYX’’) 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 Exchange has designated this proposal as a ‘‘noncontroversial’’ proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder,4 which renders it effective upon filing with the Commission. 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 filed a proposal to add a new optional order type modifier to be known as Non-Displayed Swap. The proposed amendments are substantively identical to the rules of Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. (‘‘EDGX’’) 5 and substantially similar to the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’) 6 and NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘Arca’’).7 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 5 See EDGX Rules 11.6(n)(7), 11.8(b)(7) and 11.8(d)(5); see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80841 (June 1, 2017), 82 FR 26559 (June 7, 2017), (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness To Add a New Optional Order Instruction Known as Non-Displayed Swap). 6 See Nasdaq Rule 4703(m) (defining the Trade Now order modifier); see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79282 (November 10, 2016), 81 FR 81219 (November 17, 2016) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule change to Amend Rule 4702 and Rule 4703 to Add a ‘‘Trade Now’’ Instruction to Certain Order Types). 7 See Arca Rule 7.31–E(d)(2)(B) (describing the Non-Display Remove Modifier); see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76267 (October 26, 2015), 80 FR 66951 (October 30, 2015) (Order Approving Proposed Rule change Adopting New Equity Trading Rules Relating to Orders and Modifiers and Retail Liquidity Program To Reflect the Implementation of Pillar, the Exchange’s New Trading Technology Platform). 2 17 E:\FR\FM\03JYN1.SGM 03JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 3, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31227-31229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14291]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-83530; File No. SR-Phlx-2018-50]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq Phlx LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the 
Exchange's Penny Pilot Program

 June 28, 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 June 25, 2018, Nasdaq Phlx LLC (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'') filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items 
have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this 
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested 
persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 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 Phlx Rule 1034 (Minimum Increments) 
\3\ to extend through December 31, 2018 or the date of permanent 
approval, if earlier, the Penny Pilot Program in options classes in 
certain issues (``Penny Pilot'' or ``Pilot''), and to change the date 
when delisted classes may be replaced in the Penny Pilot.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ References herein to rules refer to rules of Phlx, unless 
otherwise noted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The text of the proposed rule change is set forth below. Proposed 
new language is italicized and proposed deleted language is in 
brackets.
* * * * *
Nasdaq PHLX Rules
Options Rules
* * * * *
Rule 1034. Minimum Increments
    (a) Except as provided in sub-paragraphs (i)(B) and (iii) below, 
all options on stocks, index options, and Exchange Traded Fund Shares 
quoting in decimals at $3.00 or higher shall have a minimum increment 
of $.10, and all options on stocks and index options quoting in 
decimals under $3.00 shall have a minimum increment of $.05.
    (i)(A) No Change.
    (B) For a pilot period scheduled to expire [June 30, 2018]December 
31, 2018 or the date of permanent approval, if earlier (the ``pilot''), 
certain options shall be quoted and traded on the Exchange in minimum 
increments of $0.01 for all series in such options with a price of less 
than $3.00, and in minimum increments of $0.05 for all series in such 
options with a price of $3.00 or higher, except that options overlying 
the PowerShares QQQ Trust (``QQQQ'')[supreg], SPDR S&P 500 Exchange 
Traded Funds (``SPY''), and iShares Russell 2000 Index Funds (``IWM'') 
shall be quoted and traded in minimum increments of $0.01 for all 
series regardless of the price. A list of such options shall be 
communicated to membership via an Options Trader Alert (``OTA'') posted 
on the Exchange's website.
    The Exchange may replace any pilot issues that have been delisted 
with the next most actively traded multiply listed options classes that 
are not yet included in the pilot, based on trading activity in the 
previous six months. The replacement issues may be added to the pilot 
on the second trading day following [January 1, 2018]July 1, 2018.
    (C) No Change.

[[Page 31228]]

    (ii)-(v) No Change.
* * * * *
    The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the 
Exchange's website at https://nasdaqomxphlx.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 purpose of this filing is to amend Phlx Rule 1034 to extend the 
Penny Pilot through December 31, 2018 or the date of permanent 
approval, if earlier,\4\ and to change the date when delisted classes 
may be replaced in the Penny Pilot. The Exchange believes that 
extending the Penny Pilot will allow for further analysis of the Penny 
Pilot and a determination of how the program should be structured in 
the future.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The options exchanges in the U.S. that have pilot programs 
similar to the Penny Pilot (together ``pilot programs'') are 
currently working on a proposal for permanent approval of the 
respective pilot programs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the Penny Pilot, the minimum price variation for all 
participating options classes, except for the Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking 
Stock (``QQQQ''), the SPDR S&P 500 Exchange Traded Fund (``SPY'') and 
the iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund (``IWM''), is $0.01 for all 
quotations in options series that are quoted at less than $3 per 
contract and $0.05 for all quotations in options series that are quoted 
at $3 per contract or greater. QQQQ, SPY and IWM are quoted in $0.01 
increments for all options series. The Penny Pilot is currently 
scheduled to expire on June 30, 2018.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82370 (December 20, 
2017), 82 FR 61351 (December 27, 2017) (SR-Phlx-2017-104).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange proposes to extend the time period of the Penny Pilot 
through December 31, 2018 or the date of permanent approval, if 
earlier, and to provide a revised date for adding replacement issues to 
the Penny Pilot. The Exchange proposes that any Penny Pilot Program 
issues that have been delisted may be replaced on the second trading 
day following July 1, 2018. The replacement issues will be selected 
based on trading activity in the previous six months.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The replacement issues will be announced to the Exchange's 
membership via an Options Trader Alert (OTA) posted on the 
Exchange's website. Penny Pilot replacement issues will be selected 
based on trading activity in the previous six months, as is the case 
today. The replacement issues would be identified based on The 
Options Clearing Corporation's trading volume data. For example, for 
the July replacement, trading volume from December 1, 2017 through 
May 31, 2018 would be analyzed. The month immediately preceding the 
replacement issues' addition to the Pilot Program (i.e., June) would 
not be used for purposes of the six-month analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This filing does not propose any substantive changes to the Penny 
Pilot Program; all classes currently participating in the Penny Pilot 
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 potential increase 
in quote traffic.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\7\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act,\8\ 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 persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, and 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In particular, the proposed rule change, which extends the Penny 
Pilot for an additional six months through December 31, 2018 or the 
date of permanent approval, if earlier, and changes the date for 
replacing Penny Pilot issues that were delisted to the second trading 
day following July 1, 2018, will enable public customers and other 
market participants to express their true prices to buy and sell 
options for the benefit of all market participants. This is consistent 
with the Act.

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. To the contrary, this proposal 
is pro-competitive because it allows Penny Pilot issues to continue 
trading on the Exchange.
    Moreover, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will 
allow for further analysis of the Pilot and a determination of how the 
Pilot should be structured in the future; and will serve to promote 
regulatory clarity and consistency, thereby reducing burdens on the 
marketplace and facilitating investor protection.
    The Pilot is an industry-wide initiative supported by all other 
option exchanges. The Exchange believes that extending the Pilot will 
allow for continued competition between market participants on the 
Exchange 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.

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

    The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \9\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\10\ 
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 and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \11\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after

[[Page 31229]]

the date of the filing.\12\ However, pursuant to Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii),\13\ the Commission may 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 believes that waiving the 30-day operative 
delay 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.\14\ Accordingly, the 
Commission designates the proposed rule change as operative upon filing 
with the Commission.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \12\ 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.
    \13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61061 (November 24, 
2009), 74 FR 62857 (December 1, 2009) (SR-NYSEArca-2009-44).
    \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).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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 under 
Section 19(b)(2)(B) \16\ of the Act to determine whether the proposed 
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
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    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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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-Phlx-2018-50 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-Phlx-2018-50. 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-Phlx-2018-50 and should be submitted on 
or before July 24, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\
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    \17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-14291 Filed 7-2-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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