Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq MRX, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Amend MRX Rule 723, 34632-34635 [2018-15504]

Download as PDF 34632 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 140 / Friday, July 20, 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– CboeEDGA–2018–012 on the subject line. Paper Comments daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES • 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-CboeEDGA–2018–012. 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–CboeEDGA–2018–012 and should be submitted on or before August 10, 2018. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:06 Jul 19, 2018 Jkt 244001 For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.13 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–15505 Filed 7–19–18; 8:45 am] A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq MRX, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Amend MRX Rule 723 MRX proposes to amend Rule 723, entitled ‘‘Price Improvement Mechanism for Crossing Transactions.’’ Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 723(c)(2) to expand the types of Improvement Orders 3 that may be entered into the Price Improvement Mechanism or ‘‘PIM.’’ The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule 723(d)(1)– (3) to more specifically clarify terms such as ‘‘orders’’ and ‘‘responses’’ in that section. July 16, 2018, Background BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–83646; File No. SR–MRX– 2018–24] Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on July 5, 2018, Nasdaq MRX, LLC (‘‘MRX’’ 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. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend MRX Rule 723, entitled ‘‘Price Improvement Mechanism for Crossing Transactions.’’ The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s website at https://nasdaqmrx.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. PO 00000 13 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Exchange adopted PIM as part of its application to be registered as a national securities exchange.4 In approving PIM, the Commission noted that it was largely based on a similar functionality offered by the International Securities Exchange, LLC (now Nasdaq ISE, LLC) (‘‘ISE’’).5 ISE received approval to establish its PIM in 2004 that would allow an ISE Electronic Access Member (‘‘EAM’’) to enter matched trades (‘‘Crossing Transactions’’).6 As noted in the Adopting Filing, a Crossing Transaction would be comprised of an order that the EAM represents as agent (‘‘Agency Order’’) and an order that is executable against the Agency Order for the full size of the Agency Order (the ‘‘CounterSide Order’’).7 In the Adopting Filing, ISE specified in Rule 723(c)(2) that Improvement Orders may be for the account of a Public Customer or for the Member’s own account.8 The Adopting Filing noted that ISE would broadcast 3 Rule 723(c)(1) defines an Improvement Order. The Exchange will designate via circular a time of no less than 100 milliseconds and no more than 1 second for Members to indicate the size and price at which they want to participate in the execution of the Agency Order (‘‘Improvement Orders’’). 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76998 (January 29, 2016), 81 FR 6066 (February 4, 2016) (File No. 10–221) (Exchange Approval Order).The Exchange subsequently changed its name to ISE Mercury and then later Nasdaq MRX. 5 Id. 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 50819 (December 8, 2004), 69 FR 75093 (December 15, 2004) (SR–ISE–2003–06) (Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto and Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval to Amendments No. 2 and 3 Thereto by the International Securities Exchange, Inc. To Establish Rules Implementing a Price Improvement Mechanism) (‘‘Adopting Filing’’). 7 The Counter-Side Order may represent interest for the EAM’s own account, or interest the EAM has solicited from one or more other parties, or a combination of both. 8 Id. E:\FR\FM\20JYN1.SGM 20JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 140 / Friday, July 20, 2018 / Notices Crossing Orders to all Members.9 Further, it was noted in the Adopting Filing that during a three second auction, all ISE Members could enter ‘‘Improvement Orders,’’ in penny increments, to improve the price of the Agency Order.10 The Adopting Filing stated that Improvement Orders may be for the account of a Public Customer or for the Member’s own account.11 Finally, the Adopting Filing noted that during the exposure period, the aggregate size of the best prices, including the Counter-Side Order, Improvement Orders, and any change to either, would continually be updated and broadcast to all Members.12 daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Rule 723(c)(2) With respect to the current limitation of Improvement Orders for the account of a Public Customer or for the Member’s own account, ISE noted in its Adopting Filing that ‘‘all ISE Members would be permitted to participate in a PIM . . . unrelated orders could compete in standard increments to trade with the Agency Order in the PIM. Such unrelated orders could include agency orders on behalf of Public Customers, market makers on other exchanges, and non-ISE member broker-dealers, as well as non-Improvement orders submitted by ISE members.’’ At this time, the Exchange proposes to permit any MRX Member to enter an Improvement Order marked as a response to a PIM auction similar to Nasdaq PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’) 13 and Nasdaq BX, Inc. (‘‘BX’’) 14 rules. The Exchange no longer desires to limit Members who may enter Improvement Orders into PIM to simply those orders for the account of a Public Customer or for the Member’s own account. The Exchange desires to expand the types of orders that may be entered as Improvement Orders similar to Phlx and BX. The Exchange is therefore removing this limitation in Rule 723(c)(2) so that the proposed rule text would read: ‘‘Improvement Orders may be entered 9 The broadcast message would include the series, price, and size of the Agency Order and whether it is to buy or sell. 10 The ISE would broadcast Improvement Orders to all Members. Crossing Transactions and Improvement Orders would not be displayed in the ISE BBO and would not be disseminated to the Options Price Reporting Authority. 11 MRX Rule 723(c)(2). 12 MRX Rule 723(c)(4). 13 Phlx Rule 1087 permits any member to submit for execution an order it represents as agent on behalf of a public customer, broker-dealer, or any other entity (‘‘PIXL Order’’). 14 BX Rules at Chapter VI, Section 9 provides that ‘‘A Participant may electronically submit for execution an order it represents as agent on behalf of a Public Customer, broker dealer, or any other entity (‘‘PRISM Order’’). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:06 Jul 19, 2018 Jkt 244001 by all Members in one-cent increments at the same price as the Crossing Transaction or at an improved price for the Agency Order, and for any size up to the size of the Agency Order.’’ Rule 723(d)(1)–(3) The Exchange proposes to amend MRX Rule 723(d)(1), which explains the manner in which a PIM Order shall be allocated to conform this text to the change which is proposed in Rule 723(c)(2). Rule 723(d)(1) currently provides, ‘‘At a given price, Priority Customer interest is executed in full before Professional Orders 15 and any other interest of Members (i.e., proprietary interest from Electronic Access Members and Exchange market makers).’’ The Exchange proposes to expand upon the term interest by adopting the defined terms ‘‘Priority Customer Interest’’ for Priority Customer Orders and Improvement Orders from Priority Customers, and ‘‘Professional Interest’’ for Professional Orders, Improvement Orders from non-Priority Customers, and Market Maker quotes. The Exchange believes that adding these defined terms would clarify what is meant by interest. As proposed, Professional Interest identifies all orders (including Improvement Orders) that are not for the account of a Priority Customer as well as Market Maker quotes, thereby incorporating the current reference to ‘‘Professional Orders’’ within its terms and eliminating the necessity to include the current rule text which provides, ‘‘any other interest of Members (i.e., proprietary interest from Electronic Access Members and Exchange market makers).’’ The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 723(d)(2) which currently provides, ‘‘After Priority Customer interest at a given price, Professional Orders and Members’ interest will participate in the execution of the Agency Order based upon the percentage of the total number of contracts available at the price that is represented by the size of the Members’ interest.’’ The Exchange proposes to replace the reference to ‘‘Priority Customer interest’’ with the defined term ‘‘Priority Customer Interest’’ proposed to be added in Rule 723(d)(1), as described above. The Exchange also proposes to change ‘‘Professional Orders’’ to ‘‘Professional Interest’’ which will be defined in Rule 723(d)(1) to include Professional Orders as well as 15 MRX Rule 100(a)(54) provides the term ‘‘Professional Order’’ means an order that is for the account of a person or entity that is not a Priority Customer. PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 34633 Improvement Orders from non-Priority Customers and Market Maker quotes. Since Professional Interest is defined in this manner, the Exchange also proposes to remove the language referring to ‘‘Members’ interest’’ from the sentence because Professional Interest would include all orders from non-Priority Customers and Market Maker quotes. The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 723(d)(3) to again remove the rule text relating to ‘‘Members’ interest’’ and instead utilize the defined ‘‘Professional Interest’’ term consistent with proposed changes to Rule 723(d)(1) and (2). The Exchange also proposes to make similar changes to add the term ‘‘Professional Interest’’ to the sentence in Rule 723(d)(3) that currently reads: ‘‘Thereafter, all other orders, Responses, and quotes at the price point will participate in the execution of the Agency Order based upon the percentage of the total number of contracts available at the price that is represented by the size of the order, Response or quote.’’ In particular, the language related to ‘‘other orders, Responses, and quotes’’ in this sentence will be replaced with ‘‘Professional Interest’’ since this term includes all orders from non-Priority Customers and Market Maker quotes, as described above. The Exchange notes that the references in this sentence to ‘‘Responses,’’ currently an undefined term, should instead refer to the defined term ‘‘Improvement Orders,’’ and the proposed changes should therefore clarify how Rule 723(d)(3) will apply. Finally, the Exchange proposes to replace the word ‘‘Priority Customer Orders’’ with ‘‘Priority Customer Interest’’ as defined in proposed Rule 723(d)(1) to clarify that those orders as well as responses (i.e., Improvement Orders from Priority Customers) are applicable. The proposed amendments add more specificity to the exact order/ quotes and responses which apply in this section. The amendments to Rule 723(d)(1)– (3) conform to the proposed amendment to Rule 723(c)(2) and other proposed amendments as described above which do not change the manner in which PIM operates today, rather the other word changes seek to bring specificity to the manner in which order, quotes and responses are treated. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,16 in general, and furthers the 16 15 E:\FR\FM\20JYN1.SGM U.S.C. 78f(b). 20JYN1 34634 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 140 / Friday, July 20, 2018 / Notices daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,17 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. The Exchange’s proposal to amend Rule 723(c)(2) seeks to broaden the types of orders that may be submitted as Improvement Orders into PIM. As ISE previously noted, in its Adopting Filing, all Members are able to participate in a PIM today as an unrelated order that rests on the Order Book. Unrelated orders that rest on the Order Book can participate in PIM and trade with the Agency Order in the PIM. The Exchange proposes to allow all Members to submit Improvement Orders directly into PIM to provide an even greater number of MRX Members to more directly participate in PIM and provide price improvement. The Exchange’s proposal is consistent with the Act because allowing a greater number of Members to directly respond with an Improvement Order in a PIM will increase the likelihood of price improvement in that auction thereby removing impediments to and perfecting the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system. This approach will enable greater participation in PIM auctions. The Exchange’s proposal to amend Rule 723(d) conforms the text with changes made with respect to the proposal to amend Rule 723(c)(2) for consistency. The proposed changes to remove the more generic ‘‘Members’ interest’’ and instead substitute very specific terms to define interest and add quotes provide more specificity as to the manner in which interest entered into PIM will be allocated. The Exchange’s proposed amendments to Rule 723(d)(1)–(3) are consistent with the Act because the amendments seek to conform the rule text to the proposed Rule 723(c)(2) amendment and describe in greater detail how interest will be allocated by defining terms and eligible interest and this transparency benefits investors and the public interest. 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’s proposal to amend Rule 723(c)(2) to broaden the types of orders that may be submitted as Improvement 17 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:06 Jul 19, 2018 Jkt 244001 Orders into PIM does not unduly burden competition because all Members will be permitted to submit Improvement Orders directly into PIM to provide an even greater number of MRX Members to more directly participate in PIM. The amendments to Rule 723(d) will conform the rule text and bring clarity to the allocation method for PIM. 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 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 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 18 and Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) thereunder.19 A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the Act 20 normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date of its filing. However, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) 21 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 it may allow all Members to submit Improvement Orders directly into PIM to provide an even greater number of MRX Members an opportunity to more directly participate in PIM and provide price improvement. The Exchange states that it will issue an Options Trader Alert to notify Members of the date within which this functionality will be implemented. The Commission believes the waiver of the operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Accordingly, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its 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. 20 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 21 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). PO 00000 18 15 19 17 Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 designates the proposed rule change operative upon filing.22 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– MRX–2018–24 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–MRX–2018–24. 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 22 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). E:\FR\FM\20JYN1.SGM 20JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 140 / Friday, July 20, 2018 / Notices 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change. 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–MRX–2018–24, and should be submitted on or before August 10, 2018. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.23 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–15504 Filed 7–19–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–83647; File No. SR–BOX– 2018–14] Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX Options Exchange LLC; Notice of Designation of Longer Period for Commission Action on Proposed Rule Change To Adopt Rules Governing the Trading of Complex Qualified Contingent Cross and Complex Customer Cross Orders daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES July 16, 2018. On May 22, 2018, BOX Options Exchange LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to adopt rules governing the trading of Complex Qualified Contingent Cross and Complex Customer Cross Orders. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on June 8, 2018.3 The Commission has received no comments regarding the proposal. Section 19(b)(2) of the Act 4 provides that within 45 days of the publication of notice of the filing of a proposed rule change, or within such longer period up to 90 days as the Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or as to which the 23 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83367 (June 4, 2018), 83 FR 26719. 4 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission shall either approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. The 45th day for this filing is July 23, 2018. The Commission is extending the 45day time period for Commission action on the proposed rule change. The Commission finds that it is appropriate to designate a longer period within which to take action on the proposed rule change so that it has sufficient time to consider the proposed rule change. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,5 the Commission designates September 6, 2018, as the date by which the Commission should either approve or disapprove, or institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove, the proposed rule change (File No. SR–BOX–2018– 14). For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.6 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–15507 Filed 7–19–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 18:06 Jul 19, 2018 Jkt 244001 I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend ISE Rule 723, entitled ‘‘Price Improvement Mechanism for Crossing Transactions.’’ The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s website at https://ise.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 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–83644; File No. SR–ISE– 2018–62] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend ISE Rule 723 July 16, 2018. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on July 5, 2018, Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘ISE’’ 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 34635 PO 00000 5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). CFR 200.30–3(a)(31). 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 6 17 Frm 00100 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ISE proposes to amend ISE Rule 723, entitled ‘‘Price Improvement Mechanism for Crossing Transactions.’’ Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 723(c)(2) to expand the types of Improvement Orders 3 that may be entered into the Price Improvement Mechanism or ‘‘PIM.’’ The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule 723(d)(1)– (3) to more specifically clarify terms such as ‘‘orders’’ and ‘‘responses’’ in that section. Background ISE received approval to establish its PIM in 2004 that would allow an ISE Electronic Access Member (‘‘EAM’’) to enter matched trades (‘‘Crossing Transactions’’).4 A Crossing Transaction 3 Rule 723(c)(1) defines an Improvement Order. The Exchange will designate via circular a time of no less than 100 milliseconds and no more than 1 second for Members to indicate the size and price at which they want to participate in the execution of the Agency Order (‘‘Improvement Orders’’). 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 50819 (December 8, 2004), 69 FR 75093 (December 15, 2004) (SR–ISE–2003–06) (Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto and Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval to Amendments No. 2 and 3 Thereto by the International Securities Exchange, Inc. To Establish Rules Implementing a Price Improvement Mechanism) (‘‘Adopting Filing’’). E:\FR\FM\20JYN1.SGM 20JYN1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 140 (Friday, July 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34632-34635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15504]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-83646; File No. SR-MRX-2018-24]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq MRX, LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Amend MRX Rule 
723

July 16, 2018,
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on July 5, 2018, Nasdaq MRX, LLC (``MRX'' 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.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend MRX Rule 723, entitled ``Price 
Improvement Mechanism for Crossing Transactions.''
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at https://nasdaqmrx.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
    MRX proposes to amend Rule 723, entitled ``Price Improvement 
Mechanism for Crossing Transactions.'' Specifically, the Exchange 
proposes to amend Rule 723(c)(2) to expand the types of Improvement 
Orders \3\ that may be entered into the Price Improvement Mechanism or 
``PIM.'' The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule 723(d)(1)-(3) to more 
specifically clarify terms such as ``orders'' and ``responses'' in that 
section.
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    \3\ Rule 723(c)(1) defines an Improvement Order. The Exchange 
will designate via circular a time of no less than 100 milliseconds 
and no more than 1 second for Members to indicate the size and price 
at which they want to participate in the execution of the Agency 
Order (``Improvement Orders'').
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Background
    The Exchange adopted PIM as part of its application to be 
registered as a national securities exchange.\4\ In approving PIM, the 
Commission noted that it was largely based on a similar functionality 
offered by the International Securities Exchange, LLC (now Nasdaq ISE, 
LLC) (``ISE'').\5\ ISE received approval to establish its PIM in 2004 
that would allow an ISE Electronic Access Member (``EAM'') to enter 
matched trades (``Crossing Transactions'').\6\ As noted in the Adopting 
Filing, a Crossing Transaction would be comprised of an order that the 
EAM represents as agent (``Agency Order'') and an order that is 
executable against the Agency Order for the full size of the Agency 
Order (the ``Counter-Side Order'').\7\ In the Adopting Filing, ISE 
specified in Rule 723(c)(2) that Improvement Orders may be for the 
account of a Public Customer or for the Member's own account.\8\ The 
Adopting Filing noted that ISE would broadcast

[[Page 34633]]

Crossing Orders to all Members.\9\ Further, it was noted in the 
Adopting Filing that during a three second auction, all ISE Members 
could enter ``Improvement Orders,'' in penny increments, to improve the 
price of the Agency Order.\10\ The Adopting Filing stated that 
Improvement Orders may be for the account of a Public Customer or for 
the Member's own account.\11\ Finally, the Adopting Filing noted that 
during the exposure period, the aggregate size of the best prices, 
including the Counter-Side Order, Improvement Orders, and any change to 
either, would continually be updated and broadcast to all Members.\12\
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    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76998 (January 29, 
2016), 81 FR 6066 (February 4, 2016) (File No. 10-221) (Exchange 
Approval Order).The Exchange subsequently changed its name to ISE 
Mercury and then later Nasdaq MRX.
    \5\ Id.
    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 50819 (December 8, 
2004), 69 FR 75093 (December 15, 2004) (SR-ISE-2003-06) (Order 
Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 
Thereto and Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval 
to Amendments No. 2 and 3 Thereto by the International Securities 
Exchange, Inc. To Establish Rules Implementing a Price Improvement 
Mechanism) (``Adopting Filing'').
    \7\ The Counter-Side Order may represent interest for the EAM's 
own account, or interest the EAM has solicited from one or more 
other parties, or a combination of both.
    \8\ Id.
    \9\ The broadcast message would include the series, price, and 
size of the Agency Order and whether it is to buy or sell.
    \10\ The ISE would broadcast Improvement Orders to all Members. 
Crossing Transactions and Improvement Orders would not be displayed 
in the ISE BBO and would not be disseminated to the Options Price 
Reporting Authority.
    \11\ MRX Rule 723(c)(2).
    \12\ MRX Rule 723(c)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rule 723(c)(2)
    With respect to the current limitation of Improvement Orders for 
the account of a Public Customer or for the Member's own account, ISE 
noted in its Adopting Filing that ``all ISE Members would be permitted 
to participate in a PIM . . . unrelated orders could compete in 
standard increments to trade with the Agency Order in the PIM. Such 
unrelated orders could include agency orders on behalf of Public 
Customers, market makers on other exchanges, and non-ISE member broker-
dealers, as well as non-Improvement orders submitted by ISE members.''
    At this time, the Exchange proposes to permit any MRX Member to 
enter an Improvement Order marked as a response to a PIM auction 
similar to Nasdaq PHLX LLC (``Phlx'') \13\ and Nasdaq BX, Inc. (``BX'') 
\14\ rules. The Exchange no longer desires to limit Members who may 
enter Improvement Orders into PIM to simply those orders for the 
account of a Public Customer or for the Member's own account. The 
Exchange desires to expand the types of orders that may be entered as 
Improvement Orders similar to Phlx and BX. The Exchange is therefore 
removing this limitation in Rule 723(c)(2) so that the proposed rule 
text would read: ``Improvement Orders may be entered by all Members in 
one-cent increments at the same price as the Crossing Transaction or at 
an improved price for the Agency Order, and for any size up to the size 
of the Agency Order.''
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    \13\ Phlx Rule 1087 permits any member to submit for execution 
an order it represents as agent on behalf of a public customer, 
broker-dealer, or any other entity (``PIXL Order'').
    \14\ BX Rules at Chapter VI, Section 9 provides that ``A 
Participant may electronically submit for execution an order it 
represents as agent on behalf of a Public Customer, broker dealer, 
or any other entity (``PRISM Order'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rule 723(d)(1)-(3)
    The Exchange proposes to amend MRX Rule 723(d)(1), which explains 
the manner in which a PIM Order shall be allocated to conform this text 
to the change which is proposed in Rule 723(c)(2). Rule 723(d)(1) 
currently provides, ``At a given price, Priority Customer interest is 
executed in full before Professional Orders \15\ and any other interest 
of Members (i.e., proprietary interest from Electronic Access Members 
and Exchange market makers).'' The Exchange proposes to expand upon the 
term interest by adopting the defined terms ``Priority Customer 
Interest'' for Priority Customer Orders and Improvement Orders from 
Priority Customers, and ``Professional Interest'' for Professional 
Orders, Improvement Orders from non-Priority Customers, and Market 
Maker quotes. The Exchange believes that adding these defined terms 
would clarify what is meant by interest. As proposed, Professional 
Interest identifies all orders (including Improvement Orders) that are 
not for the account of a Priority Customer as well as Market Maker 
quotes, thereby incorporating the current reference to ``Professional 
Orders'' within its terms and eliminating the necessity to include the 
current rule text which provides, ``any other interest of Members 
(i.e., proprietary interest from Electronic Access Members and Exchange 
market makers).''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ MRX Rule 100(a)(54) provides the term ``Professional 
Order'' means an order that is for the account of a person or entity 
that is not a Priority Customer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 723(d)(2) which currently 
provides, ``After Priority Customer interest at a given price, 
Professional Orders and Members' interest will participate in the 
execution of the Agency Order based upon the percentage of the total 
number of contracts available at the price that is represented by the 
size of the Members' interest.'' The Exchange proposes to replace the 
reference to ``Priority Customer interest'' with the defined term 
``Priority Customer Interest'' proposed to be added in Rule 723(d)(1), 
as described above. The Exchange also proposes to change ``Professional 
Orders'' to ``Professional Interest'' which will be defined in Rule 
723(d)(1) to include Professional Orders as well as Improvement Orders 
from non-Priority Customers and Market Maker quotes. Since Professional 
Interest is defined in this manner, the Exchange also proposes to 
remove the language referring to ``Members' interest'' from the 
sentence because Professional Interest would include all orders from 
non-Priority Customers and Market Maker quotes.
    The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 723(d)(3) to again remove the 
rule text relating to ``Members' interest'' and instead utilize the 
defined ``Professional Interest'' term consistent with proposed changes 
to Rule 723(d)(1) and (2). The Exchange also proposes to make similar 
changes to add the term ``Professional Interest'' to the sentence in 
Rule 723(d)(3) that currently reads: ``Thereafter, all other orders, 
Responses, and quotes at the price point will participate in the 
execution of the Agency Order based upon the percentage of the total 
number of contracts available at the price that is represented by the 
size of the order, Response or quote.'' In particular, the language 
related to ``other orders, Responses, and quotes'' in this sentence 
will be replaced with ``Professional Interest'' since this term 
includes all orders from non-Priority Customers and Market Maker 
quotes, as described above. The Exchange notes that the references in 
this sentence to ``Responses,'' currently an undefined term, should 
instead refer to the defined term ``Improvement Orders,'' and the 
proposed changes should therefore clarify how Rule 723(d)(3) will 
apply. Finally, the Exchange proposes to replace the word ``Priority 
Customer Orders'' with ``Priority Customer Interest'' as defined in 
proposed Rule 723(d)(1) to clarify that those orders as well as 
responses (i.e., Improvement Orders from Priority Customers) are 
applicable. The proposed amendments add more specificity to the exact 
order/quotes and responses which apply in this section.
    The amendments to Rule 723(d)(1)-(3) conform to the proposed 
amendment to Rule 723(c)(2) and other proposed amendments as described 
above which do not change the manner in which PIM operates today, 
rather the other word changes seek to bring specificity to the manner 
in which order, quotes and responses are treated.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\16\ in general, and furthers the

[[Page 34634]]

objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\17\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange's proposal to amend Rule 723(c)(2) seeks to broaden 
the types of orders that may be submitted as Improvement Orders into 
PIM. As ISE previously noted, in its Adopting Filing, all Members are 
able to participate in a PIM today as an unrelated order that rests on 
the Order Book. Unrelated orders that rest on the Order Book can 
participate in PIM and trade with the Agency Order in the PIM. The 
Exchange proposes to allow all Members to submit Improvement Orders 
directly into PIM to provide an even greater number of MRX Members to 
more directly participate in PIM and provide price improvement. The 
Exchange's proposal is consistent with the Act because allowing a 
greater number of Members to directly respond with an Improvement Order 
in a PIM will increase the likelihood of price improvement in that 
auction thereby removing impediments to and perfecting the mechanism of 
a free and open market and a national market system. This approach will 
enable greater participation in PIM auctions.
    The Exchange's proposal to amend Rule 723(d) conforms the text with 
changes made with respect to the proposal to amend Rule 723(c)(2) for 
consistency. The proposed changes to remove the more generic ``Members' 
interest'' and instead substitute very specific terms to define 
interest and add quotes provide more specificity as to the manner in 
which interest entered into PIM will be allocated. The Exchange's 
proposed amendments to Rule 723(d)(1)-(3) are consistent with the Act 
because the amendments seek to conform the rule text to the proposed 
Rule 723(c)(2) amendment and describe in greater detail how interest 
will be allocated by defining terms and eligible interest and this 
transparency benefits investors and the public interest.

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's proposal to 
amend Rule 723(c)(2) to broaden the types of orders that may be 
submitted as Improvement Orders into PIM does not unduly burden 
competition because all Members will be permitted to submit Improvement 
Orders directly into PIM to provide an even greater number of MRX 
Members to more directly participate in PIM. The amendments to Rule 
723(d) will conform the rule text and bring clarity to the allocation 
method for PIM.

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 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 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \18\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \19\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written 
notice of its 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the 
Act \20\ normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date 
of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \21\ 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 it 
may allow all Members to submit Improvement Orders directly into PIM to 
provide an even greater number of MRX Members an opportunity to more 
directly participate in PIM and provide price improvement. The Exchange 
states that it will issue an Options Trader Alert to notify Members of 
the date within which this functionality will be implemented. The 
Commission believes the waiver of the operative delay is consistent 
with the protection of investors and the public interest. Accordingly, 
the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and designates the 
proposed rule change operative upon filing.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \21\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \22\ 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-MRX-2018-24 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-MRX-2018-24. 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

[[Page 34635]]

10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change. 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-MRX-2018-24, and should be 
submitted on or before August 10, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-15504 Filed 7-19-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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