Self-Regulatory Organizations: Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change by MIAX PEARL, LLC To Amend Exchange Rule 510, Minimum Price Variations and Minimum Trading Increments To Extend the Penny Pilot Program, 66813-66815 [2018-27997]
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khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 247 / Thursday, December 27, 2018 / Notices
take place at negotiated prices, not at a
current offering price described in a
Fund’s prospectus, and not at a price
based on NAV. Applicants state that (a)
secondary market trading in shares does
not involve a Fund as a party and will
not result in dilution of an investment
in shares, and (b) to the extent different
prices exist during a given trading day,
or from day to day, such variances occur
as a result of third-party market forces,
such as supply and demand. Therefore,
applicants assert that secondary market
transactions in shares will not lead to
discrimination or preferential treatment
among purchasers. Finally, applicants
represent that share market prices will
be disciplined by arbitrage
opportunities, which should prevent
shares from trading at a material
discount or premium from NAV.
6. With respect to Funds that effect
creations and redemptions of Creation
Units in kind and that are based on
certain Underlying Indexes that include
foreign securities, applicants request
relief from the requirement imposed by
section 22(e) in order to allow such
Funds to pay redemption proceeds
within fifteen calendar days following
the tender of Creation Units for
redemption. Applicants assert that the
requested relief would not be
inconsistent with the spirit and intent of
section 22(e) to prevent unreasonable,
undisclosed or unforeseen delays in the
actual payment of redemption proceeds.
7. Applicants request an exemption to
permit Funds of Funds to acquire Fund
shares beyond the limits of section
12(d)(1)(A) of the Act; and the Funds,
and any principal underwriter for the
Funds, and/or any broker or dealer
registered under the Exchange Act, to
sell shares to Funds of Funds beyond
the limits of section 12(d)(1)(B) of the
Act. The application’s terms and
conditions are designed to, among other
things, help prevent any potential (i)
undue influence over a Fund through
control or voting power, or in
connection with certain services,
transactions, and underwritings, (ii)
excessive layering of fees, and (iii)
overly complex fund structures, which
are the concerns underlying the limits
in sections 12(d)(1)(A) and (B) of the
Act.
8. Applicants request an exemption
from sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(2) of the
Act to permit persons that are Affiliated
Persons, or Second Tier Affiliates, of the
Funds, solely by virtue of certain
ownership interests, to effectuate
purchases and redemptions in-kind. The
deposit procedures for in-kind
purchases of Creation Units and the
redemption procedures for in-kind
redemptions of Creation Units will be
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17:14 Dec 26, 2018
Jkt 247001
the same for all purchases and
redemptions, and Deposit Instruments
and Redemption Instruments will be
valued in the same manner as those
investment positions currently held by
the Funds. Applicants also seek relief
from the prohibitions on affiliated
transactions in section 17(a) to permit a
Fund to sell its shares to and redeem its
shares from a Fund of Funds, and to
engage in the accompanying in-kind
transactions with the Fund of Funds.3
The purchase of Creation Units by a
Fund of Funds directly from a Fund will
be accomplished in accordance with the
policies of the Fund of Funds and will
be based on the NAVs of the Funds.
9. Applicants also request relief to
permit a Feeder Fund to acquire shares
of another registered investment
company managed by the Adviser
having substantially the same
investment objectives as the Feeder
Fund (‘‘Master Fund’’) beyond the
limitations in section 12(d)(1)(A) and
permit the Master Fund, and any
principal underwriter for the Master
Fund, to sell shares of the Master Fund
to the Feeder Fund beyond the
limitations in section 12(d)(1)(B).
10. Section 6(c) of the Act permits the
Commission to exempt any persons or
transactions from any provision of the
Act if such exemption is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest and
consistent with the protection of
investors and the purposes fairly
intended by the policy and provisions of
the Act. Section 12(d)(1)(J) of the Act
provides that the Commission may
exempt any person, security, or
transaction, or any class or classes of
persons, securities, or transactions, from
any provision of section 12(d)(1) if the
exemption is consistent with the public
interest and the protection of investors.
Section 17(b) of the Act authorizes the
Commission to grant an order
permitting a transaction otherwise
prohibited by section 17(a) if it finds
that (a) the terms of the proposed
transaction are fair and reasonable and
do not involve overreaching on the part
of any person concerned; (b) the
proposed transaction is consistent with
the policies of each registered
investment company involved; and (c)
the proposed transaction is consistent
with the general purposes of the Act.
3 The requested relief would apply to direct sales
of shares in Creation Units by a Fund to a Fund of
Funds and redemptions of those shares. Applicants,
moreover, are not seeking relief from section 17(a)
for, and the requested relief will not apply to,
transactions where a Fund could be deemed an
Affiliated Person, or a Second-Tier Affiliate, of a
Fund of Funds because an Adviser or an entity
controlling, controlled by or under common control
with an Adviser provides investment advisory
services to that Fund of Funds.
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66813
For the Commission, by the Division of
Investment Management, under delegated
authority.
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018–27995 Filed 12–26–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–84865; File No. SR–
PEARL–2018–26]
Self-Regulatory Organizations: Notice
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness
of a Proposed Rule Change by MIAX
PEARL, LLC To Amend Exchange Rule
510, Minimum Price Variations and
Minimum Trading Increments To
Extend the Penny Pilot Program
December 19, 2018.
Pursuant to the provisions of 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 December 13, 2018, MIAX PEARL,
LLC (‘‘MIAX PEARL’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’)
filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’) a
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 is filing a proposal to
amend Exchange Rule 510, Minimum
Price Variations and Minimum Trading
Increments, Interpretations and Policies
.01, to extend the pilot program for the
quoting and trading of certain options in
pennies.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange’s website at
https://www.miaxoptions.com/rulefilings/pearl at MIAX PEARL’s principal
office, 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
1 15
2 17
E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
27DEN1
66814
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 247 / Thursday, December 27, 2018 / Notices
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
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
The Exchange is a participant in an
industry-wide pilot program that
provides for the quoting and trading of
certain option classes in penny
increments (the ‘‘Penny Pilot Program’’
or ‘‘Program’’). The Penny Pilot Program
allows the quoting and trading of certain
option classes in minimum increments
of $0.01 for all series in such option
classes with a price of less than $3.00;
and in minimum increments of $0.05 for
all series in such option classes with a
price of $3.00 or higher. Options
overlying the PowerShares QQQTM
(‘‘QQQ’’), SPDR® S&P 500® ETF
(‘‘SPY’’), and iShares® Russell 2000 ETF
(‘‘IWM’’), however, are quoted and
traded in minimum increments of $0.01
for all series regardless of the price. The
Penny Pilot Program was initiated at the
then existing option exchanges in
January 2007 3 and currently includes
more than 300 of the most active option
classes. The Penny Pilot Program is
currently scheduled to expire on
December 31, 2018.4 The purpose of the
proposed rule change is to extend the
Penny Pilot Program in its current
format through June 30, 2019.
In addition to the extension of the
Penny Pilot Program through June 30,
2019, the Exchange proposes to extend
one other date in the Rule. Currently,
Interpretations and Policies .01 states
that the Exchange will replace any
Penny Pilot issues that have been
delisted with the next most actively
traded multiply listed option classes
that are not yet included in the Penny
Pilot Program, and that the replacement
issues will be selected based on trading
activity in the previous six months.
Such option classes will be added to the
Penny Pilot Program on the second
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 55154
(January 23, 2007), 72 FR 4743 (February 1, 2007)
(SR–CBOE–2006–92); 55161 (January 24, 2007), 72
FR 4754 (February 1, 2007) (SR–ISE–2006–62);
54886 (December 6, 2006), 71 FR 74979 (December
13, 2006) (SR–Phlx–2006–74); 54590 (October 12,
2006), 71 FR 61525 (October 18, 2006) (SR–
NYSEArca–2006–73); and 54741 (November 9,
2006), 71 FR 67176 (November 20, 2006) (SR–
Amex–2006–106).
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83517
(June 25, 2018), 83 FR 30792 (June 29, 2018) (SR–
PEARL–2018–14) (extending the Penny Pilot
Program from June 30, 2018 to December 31, 2018).
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17:14 Dec 26, 2018
Jkt 247001
trading day following July 1, 2018.5
Because this date has expired and the
Exchange intends to continue this
practice for the duration of the Penny
Pilot Program, the Exchange is
proposing to amend the Rule to reflect
that such option classes will be added
to the Penny Pilot Program on the
second trading day following January 1,
2019.
The purpose of this provision is to
reflect the new date on which
replacement issues may be added to the
Penny Pilot Program.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b) of the Act 6 in general, and
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5)
of the Act 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 persons engaged in
facilitating transactions in securities, to
remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanisms 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
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.
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 Penny Pilot
Program and a determination of how the
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, facilitating investor
5 The month immediately preceding a
replacement class’s addition to the Pilot Program
(i.e., December) is not used for purposes of the sixmonth analysis. For example, a replacement added
on the second trading day following January 1,
2019, will be identified based on trading activity
from June 1, 2018, through November 30, 2018.
6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
protection, and fostering a competitive
environment. In addition, consistent
with previous practices, the Exchange
believes the other options exchanges
will be filing similar extensions of the
Penny Pilot Program.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments were neither
solicited nor 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) of the Act 8 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) 9 thereunder. Because the
foregoing proposed rule change does
not: (i) Significantly affect the
protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant
burden on competition; and (iii) become
operative for 30 days after the date of
the filing, 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 19(b)(3)(A) of the
Act 10 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 11
thereunder.
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 filing. 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
8 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
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) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
the Commission written notice of its intent to file
the proposed rule change at least five business days
prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
change, or such shorter time as designated by the
Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this
requirement.
12 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
13 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
9 17
E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 247 / Thursday, December 27, 2018 / Notices
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 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.
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
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:
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
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–PEARL–2018–26 and
should be submitted on or before
January 17, 2019.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.16
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018–27997 Filed 12–26–18; 8:45 am]
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–
PEARL–2018–26 on the subject line.
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
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–PEARL–2018–26. 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
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change Reflecting Changes to
Certain Representations Relating to
the Horizons S&P 500 Covered Call
ETF
14 See Securities Exchange 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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17:14 Dec 26, 2018
Jkt 247001
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–84872; File No. SR–
NYSEArca–2018–92]
December 19, 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 December
6, 2018, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the
‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) 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 reflect
changes to certain representations made
16 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
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
66815
in the proposed rule changes previously
filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 19b–4 relating to the Horizons S&P
500 Covered Call ETF (the ‘‘Target
Fund’’). Shares of the Target Fund are
currently listed and traded on the
Exchange under NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–
E(j)(3). 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 Commission has approved the
listing and trading on the Exchange of
shares (‘‘Shares’’) of the Target Fund,
under NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–E(j)(3)
(formerly NYSE Arca Equities Rule
5.2(j)(3)), which governs the listing and
trading of Investment Company Units.4
The Target Fund’s Shares are currently
listed and traded on the Exchange under
NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–E(j)(3).5 The Target
4 An Investment Company Unit is a security that
represents an interest in a registered investment
company that holds securities comprising, or
otherwise based on or representing an interest in,
an index or portfolio of securities (or holds
securities in another registered investment
company that holds securities comprising, or
otherwise based on or representing an interest in,
an index or portfolio of securities). See NYSE Arca
Rule 5.2–E(j)(3)(A).
5 The Commission issued notice of a proposed
rule change to permit listing and trading of Shares
of the Target Fund in Securities Exchange Act
Release Nos. 68351 (December 4, 2012), 77 FR
73500 (December 10, 2012) (SR–NYSEArca–2012–
131) (Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change
Relating to Listing and Trading of Shares of the
Horizons S&P 500 Covered Call ETF, Horizons S&P
Financial Select Sector Covered Call ETF, and
Horizons S&P Energy Select Sector Covered Call
ETF under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3))
(‘‘Prior Notice’’); 68708 (January 23, 2013), 78 FR
6161 (January 29, 2013) (SR–NYSEArca–2012–131)
(Order Approving Proposed Rule Change Relating
to Listing and Trading of Shares of the Horizons
S&P 500 Covered Call ETF, Horizons S&P Financial
Select Sector Covered Call ETF, and Horizons S&P
Continued
E:\FR\FM\27DEN1.SGM
27DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 247 (Thursday, December 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66813-66815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27997]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-84865; File No. SR-PEARL-2018-26]
Self-Regulatory Organizations: Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change by MIAX PEARL, LLC To Amend
Exchange Rule 510, Minimum Price Variations and Minimum Trading
Increments To Extend the Penny Pilot Program
December 19, 2018.
Pursuant to the provisions of 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 December 13, 2018, MIAX PEARL, LLC (``MIAX
PEARL'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (``Commission'') a 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 is filing a proposal to amend Exchange Rule 510,
Minimum Price Variations and Minimum Trading Increments,
Interpretations and Policies .01, to extend the pilot program for the
quoting and trading of certain options in pennies.
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
website at https://www.miaxoptions.com/rule-filings/pearl at MIAX
PEARL's principal office, 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
[[Page 66814]]
places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries,
set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant
aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange is a participant in an industry-wide pilot program
that provides for the quoting and trading of certain option classes in
penny increments (the ``Penny Pilot Program'' or ``Program''). The
Penny Pilot Program allows the quoting and trading of certain option
classes in minimum increments of $0.01 for all series in such option
classes with a price of less than $3.00; and in minimum increments of
$0.05 for all series in such option classes with a price of $3.00 or
higher. Options overlying the PowerShares QQQTM (``QQQ''),
SPDR[supreg] S&P 500[supreg] ETF (``SPY''), and iShares[supreg] Russell
2000 ETF (``IWM''), however, are quoted and traded in minimum
increments of $0.01 for all series regardless of the price. The Penny
Pilot Program was initiated at the then existing option exchanges in
January 2007 \3\ and currently includes more than 300 of the most
active option classes. The Penny Pilot Program is currently scheduled
to expire on December 31, 2018.\4\ The purpose of the proposed rule
change is to extend the Penny Pilot Program in its current format
through June 30, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 55154 (January 23,
2007), 72 FR 4743 (February 1, 2007) (SR-CBOE-2006-92); 55161
(January 24, 2007), 72 FR 4754 (February 1, 2007) (SR-ISE-2006-62);
54886 (December 6, 2006), 71 FR 74979 (December 13, 2006) (SR-Phlx-
2006-74); 54590 (October 12, 2006), 71 FR 61525 (October 18, 2006)
(SR-NYSEArca-2006-73); and 54741 (November 9, 2006), 71 FR 67176
(November 20, 2006) (SR-Amex-2006-106).
\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83517 (June 25,
2018), 83 FR 30792 (June 29, 2018) (SR-PEARL-2018-14) (extending the
Penny Pilot Program from June 30, 2018 to December 31, 2018).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the extension of the Penny Pilot Program through
June 30, 2019, the Exchange proposes to extend one other date in the
Rule. Currently, Interpretations and Policies .01 states that the
Exchange will replace any Penny Pilot issues that have been delisted
with the next most actively traded multiply listed option classes that
are not yet included in the Penny Pilot Program, and that the
replacement issues will be selected based on trading activity in the
previous six months. Such option classes will be added to the Penny
Pilot Program on the second trading day following July 1, 2018.\5\
Because this date has expired and the Exchange intends to continue this
practice for the duration of the Penny Pilot Program, the Exchange is
proposing to amend the Rule to reflect that such option classes will be
added to the Penny Pilot Program on the second trading day following
January 1, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ The month immediately preceding a replacement class's
addition to the Pilot Program (i.e., December) is not used for
purposes of the six-month analysis. For example, a replacement added
on the second trading day following January 1, 2019, will be
identified based on trading activity from June 1, 2018, through
November 30, 2018.
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The purpose of this provision is to reflect the new date on which
replacement issues may be added to the Penny Pilot Program.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b) of the Act \6\ in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \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 persons engaged in facilitating
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanisms of a free and open market and a national market system and,
in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
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\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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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.
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 Penny Pilot
Program and a determination of how the 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, facilitating investor protection, and fostering a
competitive environment. In addition, consistent with previous
practices, the Exchange believes the other options exchanges will be
filing similar extensions of the Penny Pilot Program.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments were neither solicited nor 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) of the Act \8\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \9\ thereunder. Because
the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30
days after the date of the filing, 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 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \10\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
\11\ thereunder.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\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)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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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 filing.
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
[[Page 66815]]
of the Pilot Program.\14\ Accordingly, the Commission designates the
proposed rule change as operative upon filing with the Commission.\15\
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\12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\14\ See Securities Exchange 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 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-PEARL-2018-26 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-PEARL-2018-26. 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
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-PEARL-2018-26 and should be
submitted on or before January 17, 2019.
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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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-27997 Filed 12-26-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
