Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Current Pilot Program Related to Clearly Erroneous Transactions, 16057-16059 [2019-07631]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 17, 2019 / Notices submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–GEMX–2019–04 and should be submitted on or before May 8, 2019. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.14 Eduardo Aleman, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–07627 Filed 4–16–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–85632; File No. SR–Phlx– 2019–14] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Current Pilot Program Related to Clearly Erroneous Transactions April 11, 2019. 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 April 10, 2019, Nasdaq PHLX LLC (‘‘Phlx’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. amozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to extend the current pilot program related to Phlx Rule 3312, Clearly Erroneous Transactions, to the close of business on October 18, 2019. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s website at https://nasdaqphlx.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 14 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:23 Apr 16, 2019 Jkt 247001 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 the proposed rule change is to extend the current pilot program related to Rule 3312, Clearly Erroneous Transactions, to the close of business on October 18, 2019. This change is being proposed in connection with proposed amendments to the Plan to Address Extraordinary Market Volatility (the ‘‘Limit Up-Limit Down Plan’’ or the ‘‘Plan’’) that would allow the Plan to continue to operate on a permanent basis.3 On September 10, 2010, the Commission approved, on a pilot basis, changes to corresponding rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’), Nasdaq BX, Inc. (‘‘BX’’), and other exchanges that, among other things: (i) Provided for uniform treatment of clearly erroneous execution reviews in multi-stock events involving twenty or more securities; and (ii) reduced the ability of the exchanges to deviate from the objective standards set forth in the rule.4 Following this, on September 30, 2010, the Exchange adopted changes to conform its Rule 3312 to Nasdaq’s and BX’s rules 11890.5 In 2013, the Exchange adopted a provision designed to address the operation of the Plan.6 Finally, in 2014, the Exchange adopted two additional provisions providing that: (i) A series of transactions in a particular security on one or more trading days may be viewed as one event if all such transactions were effected based on the same fundamentally incorrect or grossly 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 84843 (December 18, 2018), 83 FR 66464 (December 26, 2018) (File No. 4–631) (‘‘Eighteenth Amendment’’). 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62886 (September 10, 2010), 75 FR 56613 (September 16, 2010) (File Nos. SR–BATS–2010–016; SR–BX– 2010–040; SR–CBOE–2010–056; SR–CHX–2010–13; SR–EDGA–2010–03; SR–EDGX–2010–03; SR–ISE– 2010–62; SR–NASDAQ–2010–076; SR–NSX–2010– 07; SR–NYSE–2010–47; SR–NYSEAmex–2010–60; SR–NYSEArca–2010–58). 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63023 (September 30, 2010), 75 FR 61802 (October 6, 2010) (SR–Phlx–2010–125). 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68820 (February 1, 2013), 78 FR 9436 (February 8, 2013) (SR–Phlx–2013–12). PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16057 misinterpreted issuance information resulting in a severe valuation error for all such transactions; and (ii) in the event of any disruption or malfunction in the operation of the electronic communications and trading facilities of an Exchange, another SRO, or responsible single plan processor in connection with the transmittal or receipt of a trading halt, an Officer, acting on his or her own motion, shall nullify any transaction that occurs after a trading halt has been declared by the primary listing market for a security and before such trading halt has officially ended according to the primary listing market.7 These changes are currently scheduled to operate for a pilot period that coincides with the pilot period for the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan,8 including any extensions to the pilot period for the Plan.9 The Commission recently published the proposed Eighteenth Amendment to the Plan to allow the Plan to operate on a permanent, rather than pilot, basis. The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 3312 to untie the pilot program’s effectiveness from that of the Plan and to extend the pilot’s effectiveness to the close of business on October 18, 2019— i.e., six months after the expiration of the current pilot period for the Plan. If the pilot period is not either extended, replaced or approved as permanent, the prior versions of paragraphs (a)(2)(C), (b), and (c)(1) shall be in effect, and the provisions of paragraphs (g) through (i) shall be null and void.10 In such an event, the remaining sections of Rule 3312 would continue to apply to all transactions executed on the Exchange. The Exchange understands that the other national securities exchanges and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (‘‘FINRA’’) will also file similar proposals to extend their respective clearly erroneous execution pilot programs, the substance of which are identical to Rule 3312. The Exchange does not propose any additional changes to Rule 3312. The Exchange believes the benefits to market participants from the more objective clearly erroneous executions rule should continue on a limited six month pilot basis after Commission approves 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72434 (June 19, 2014), 79 FR 36110 (June 25, 2014) (SR– Phlx–2014–27). 8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67091 (May 31, 2012), 77 FR 33498 (June 6, 2012) (the ‘‘Limit Up-Limit Down Release’’). 9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71783 (March 24, 2014), 79 FR 17617 (March 28, 2014) (SR–Phlx–2014–18). 10 See supra notes 4–7. The prior versions of paragraphs (a)(2)(C), (b), and (c)(1) generally provided greater discretion to the Exchange with respect to breaking erroneous trades. E:\FR\FM\17APN1.SGM 17APN1 16058 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 17, 2019 / Notices the Plan to operate on a permanent basis. Assuming the Plan is approved by the Commission to operate on a permanent, rather than pilot, basis the Exchange intends to assess whether additional changes should also be made to the operation of the clearly erroneous execution rules. Extending the effectiveness of Rule 3312 for an additional six months should provide the Exchange and other national securities exchanges additional time to consider further amendments to the clearly erroneous execution rules in light of the proposed Eighteenth Amendment to the Plan. amozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act,11 in general, and Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,12 in particular, in that it is designed to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest and not to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change promotes just and equitable principles of trade in that it promotes transparency and uniformity across markets concerning review of transactions as clearly erroneous. The Exchange believes that extending the clearly erroneous execution pilot under Rule 3312 for an additional six months would help assure that the determination of whether a clearly erroneous trade has occurred will be based on clear and objective criteria, and that the resolution of the incident will occur promptly through a transparent process. The proposed rule change would also help assure consistent results in handling erroneous trades across the U.S. equities markets, thus furthering fair and orderly markets, the protection of investors and the public interest. Based on the foregoing, the Exchange believes the amended Clearly Erroneous Transactions rule should continue to be in effect on a pilot basis while the Exchange and the other national securities exchanges consider and develop a permanent proposal for clearly erroneous execution reviews. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose 11 15 12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:23 Apr 16, 2019 Jkt 247001 any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposal would ensure the continued, uninterrupted operation of harmonized clearly erroneous execution rules across the U.S. equities markets while the Exchange and other national securities exchanges consider further amendments to these rules in light of the proposed Eighteenth Amendment to the Plan. The Exchange understands that the other national securities exchanges and FINRA will also file similar proposals to extend their respective clearly erroneous execution pilot programs. Thus, the proposed rule change will help to ensure consistency across market centers without implicating any competitive issues. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were either solicited or received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 13 and Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) thereunder.14 A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 15 normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) 16 permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposed rule change may become effective and 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, as it will allow the 13 15 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. 15 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 16 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 14 17 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 current clearly erroneous execution pilot program to continue uninterrupted, without any changes, while the Exchange and the other national securities exchanges consider and develop a permanent proposal for clearly erroneous execution reviews. For this reason, the Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay requirement and designates the proposed rule change as operative upon filing.17 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 change 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– Phlx–2019–14 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–2019–14. 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 17 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission also has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). E:\FR\FM\17APN1.SGM 17APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 17, 2019 / Notices 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–2019–14 and should be submitted on or before May 8, 2019. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.18 Eduardo A. Aleman, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–07631 Filed 4–16–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION The Exchange proposes to extend the pilot to the close of business on October 18, 2019, for certain options market rules that are linked to the equity market Plan to Address Extraordinary Market Volatility. 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. 1. Purpose Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE American LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Pilot for Certain Options Market Rules That Are Linked to the Equity Market Plan To Address Extraordinary Market Volatility April 11, 2019. amozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change [Release No. 34–85617; File No. SR– NYSEAMER–2019–12] Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that on April 5, 2019, NYSE American LLC (‘‘NYSE American’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 15 U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. The purpose of the proposed rule change is to extend the pilot to the close of business on October 18, 2019, for certain options market rules that are linked to the equity market Plan to Address Extraordinary Market Volatility (the ‘‘Limit Up-Limit Down Plan’’ or the ‘‘Plan’’). This change is being proposed in connection with a proposed amendment to the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan that would allow the Plan to continue to operate on a permanent basis (‘‘Amendment 18’’). In an attempt to address extraordinary market volatility in NMS Stock, and, in particular, events like the severe volatility on May 6, 2010, U.S. national securities exchanges and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (collectively, ‘‘Participants’’) drafted the Plan pursuant to Rule 608 of Regulation NMS and under the Act.4 On May 31, 2012, the Commission approved the Plan, as amended, on a one-year pilot 18 17 1 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:23 Apr 16, 2019 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64547 (May 25, 2011), 76 FR 31647 (June 1, 2011) (File No. 4–631). Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16059 basis.5 Though the Plan was primarily designed for equity markets, the Exchange believed it would, indirectly, potentially impact the options markets as well. Thus, the Exchange has previously amended and adopted Rule 953.1NY and Interpretation and Policy .03 to Rule 975NY to ensure the option markets were not harmed as a result of the Plan’s implementation and has implemented such rules on a pilot basis that has coincided with the pilot period for the Plan (the ‘‘Options Pilots’’).6 The Commission recently published an Amendment 18, which would allow the Plan to operate on a permanent, rather than pilot, basis.7 In connection with this change, the Exchange proposes to amend the Options Pilots to expire at the close of business on October 18, 2019—i.e., six months after the expiration of the current pilot period for the Plan. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 953.1NY and Interpretation and Policy .03 to Rule 975NY to untie the Options Pilot’s effectiveness from that of the Plan and to extend the Options Pilot’s effectiveness to the close of business on October 18, 2019. The Exchange understands that the other national securities exchanges will also file similar proposals to extend their respective pilot programs, the substance of which are identical to the proposal. The Exchange does not propose any additional changes to Rule 953.1NY and Interpretation and Policy .03 to Rule 975NY. The Exchange believes the benefits to market participants from the Options Pilots should continue on a limited six month pilot basis after Commission approves the Plan to operate on a permanent basis. Assuming the Plan is approved by the Commission to operate on a permanent, rather than pilot, basis the Exchange intends to assess whether additional changes should also be made to the Options Pilots. Extending the Options Pilots for an additional six months should provide the Exchange and other national securities exchanges additional time to consider further amendments to their rules in light of proposed Amendment 18. 5 See Securities and Exchange Act Release No. 67091 (May 31, 2012) 77 FR 33498 (June 6, 2012). 6 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 69339 (April 8, 2013), 78 FR 22011 (April 12, 2013) (SR– NYSEMKT–2013–10) (amending certain options rules to coincide with the pilot period for the Plan, including Rule 953NY and Rule 953.1NY); and 76248 (October 23, 2015), 80 FR 66591 (October 29, 2015) (SR–NYSEMKT–2015–88) (amending Rules 953.1NY and 975NY to coincide with the pilot period for the Plan). 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 84843 (December 18, 2018), 83 FR 66464 (December 26, 2018) (Amendment No. 18 Proposing Release). E:\FR\FM\17APN1.SGM 17APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 17, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16057-16059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-07631]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-85632; File No. SR-Phlx-2019-14]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the 
Current Pilot Program Related to Clearly Erroneous Transactions

April 11, 2019.
    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 April 10, 2019, Nasdaq PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items 
have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this 
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested 
persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to extend the current pilot program related 
to Phlx Rule 3312, Clearly Erroneous Transactions, to the close of 
business on October 18, 2019.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at https://nasdaqphlx.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 the proposed rule change is to extend the current 
pilot program related to Rule 3312, Clearly Erroneous Transactions, to 
the close of business on October 18, 2019. This change is being 
proposed in connection with proposed amendments to the Plan to Address 
Extraordinary Market Volatility (the ``Limit Up-Limit Down Plan'' or 
the ``Plan'') that would allow the Plan to continue to operate on a 
permanent basis.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 84843 (December 18, 
2018), 83 FR 66464 (December 26, 2018) (File No. 4-631) 
(``Eighteenth Amendment'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On September 10, 2010, the Commission approved, on a pilot basis, 
changes to corresponding rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC 
(``Nasdaq''), Nasdaq BX, Inc. (``BX''), and other exchanges that, among 
other things: (i) Provided for uniform treatment of clearly 
erroneous[thinsp]execution reviews in multi-stock events involving 
twenty or more securities; and (ii) reduced the ability of the 
exchanges to deviate from the objective standards set forth in the 
rule.\4\ Following this, on September 30, 2010, the Exchange adopted 
changes to conform its Rule 3312 to Nasdaq's and BX's rules 11890.\5\ 
In 2013, the Exchange adopted a provision designed to address the 
operation of the Plan.\6\ Finally, in 2014, the Exchange adopted two 
additional provisions providing that: (i) A series of transactions in a 
particular security on one or more trading days may be viewed as one 
event if all such transactions were effected based on the same 
fundamentally incorrect or grossly misinterpreted issuance information 
resulting in a severe valuation error for all such transactions; and 
(ii) in the event of any disruption or malfunction in the operation of 
the electronic communications and trading facilities of an Exchange, 
another SRO, or responsible single plan processor in connection with 
the transmittal or receipt of a trading halt, an Officer, acting on his 
or her own motion, shall nullify any transaction that occurs after a 
trading halt has been declared by the primary listing market for a 
security and before such trading halt has officially ended according to 
the primary listing market.\7\ These changes are currently scheduled to 
operate for a pilot period that coincides with the pilot period for the 
Limit Up-Limit Down Plan,\8\ including any extensions to the pilot 
period for the Plan.\9\
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    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62886 (September 10, 
2010), 75 FR 56613 (September 16, 2010) (File Nos. SR-BATS-2010-016; 
SR-BX-2010-040; SR-CBOE-2010-056; SR-CHX-2010-13; SR-EDGA-2010-03; 
SR-EDGX-2010-03; SR-ISE-2010-62; SR-NASDAQ-2010-076; SR-NSX-2010-07; 
SR-NYSE-2010-47; SR-NYSEAmex-2010-60; SR-NYSEArca-2010-58).
    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63023 (September 30, 
2010), 75 FR 61802 (October 6, 2010) (SR-Phlx-2010-125).
    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68820 (February 1, 
2013), 78 FR 9436 (February 8, 2013) (SR-Phlx-2013-12).
    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72434 (June 19, 
2014), 79 FR 36110 (June 25, 2014) (SR-Phlx-2014-27).
    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67091 (May 31, 
2012), 77 FR 33498 (June 6, 2012) (the ``Limit Up-Limit Down 
Release'').
    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71783 (March 24, 
2014), 79 FR 17617 (March 28, 2014) (SR-Phlx-2014-18).
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    The Commission recently published the proposed Eighteenth Amendment 
to the Plan to allow the Plan to operate on a permanent, rather than 
pilot, basis. The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 3312 to untie the 
pilot program's effectiveness from that of the Plan and to extend the 
pilot's effectiveness to the close of business on October 18, 2019--
i.e., six months after the expiration of the current pilot period for 
the Plan. If the pilot period is not either extended, replaced or 
approved as permanent, the prior versions of paragraphs (a)(2)(C), (b), 
and (c)(1) shall be in effect, and the provisions of paragraphs (g) 
through (i) shall be null and void.\10\ In such an event, the remaining 
sections of Rule 3312 would continue to apply to all transactions 
executed on the Exchange. The Exchange understands that the other 
national securities exchanges and Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority (``FINRA'') will also file similar proposals to extend their 
respective clearly erroneous execution pilot programs, the substance of 
which are identical to Rule 3312.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See supra notes 4-7. The prior versions of paragraphs 
(a)(2)(C), (b), and (c)(1) generally provided greater discretion to 
the Exchange with respect to breaking erroneous trades.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange does not propose any additional changes to Rule 3312. 
The Exchange believes the benefits to market participants from the more 
objective clearly erroneous executions rule should continue on a 
limited six month pilot basis after Commission approves

[[Page 16058]]

the Plan to operate on a permanent basis. Assuming the Plan is approved 
by the Commission to operate on a permanent, rather than pilot, basis 
the Exchange intends to assess whether additional changes should also 
be made to the operation of the clearly erroneous execution rules. 
Extending the effectiveness of Rule 3312 for an additional six months 
should provide the Exchange and other national securities exchanges 
additional time to consider further amendments to the clearly erroneous 
execution rules in light of the proposed Eighteenth Amendment to the 
Plan.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act,\11\ in general, and 
Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\12\ in particular, in that it is designed 
to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open 
market and a national market system, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the 
public interest and not to permit unfair discrimination between 
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change promotes just 
and equitable principles of trade in that it promotes transparency and 
uniformity across markets concerning review of transactions as clearly 
erroneous. The Exchange believes that extending the clearly erroneous 
execution pilot under Rule 3312 for an additional six months would help 
assure that the determination of whether a clearly erroneous trade has 
occurred will be based on clear and objective criteria, and that the 
resolution of the incident will occur promptly through a transparent 
process. The proposed rule change would also help assure consistent 
results in handling erroneous trades across the U.S. equities markets, 
thus furthering fair and orderly markets, the protection of investors 
and the public interest. Based on the foregoing, the Exchange believes 
the amended Clearly Erroneous Transactions rule should continue to be 
in effect on a pilot basis while the Exchange and the other national 
securities exchanges consider and develop a permanent proposal for 
clearly erroneous execution reviews.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change would 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposal would ensure 
the continued, uninterrupted operation of harmonized clearly erroneous 
execution rules across the U.S. equities markets while the Exchange and 
other national securities exchanges consider further amendments to 
these rules in light of the proposed Eighteenth Amendment to the Plan. 
The Exchange understands that the other national securities exchanges 
and FINRA will also file similar proposals to extend their respective 
clearly erroneous execution pilot programs. Thus, the proposed rule 
change will help to ensure consistency across market centers without 
implicating any competitive issues.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \13\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\14\
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    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \14\ 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.
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \15\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the 
filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \16\ permits the Commission to 
designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked 
the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposed 
rule change may become effective and 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, as 
it will allow the current clearly erroneous execution pilot program to 
continue uninterrupted, without any changes, while the Exchange and the 
other national securities exchanges consider and develop a permanent 
proposal for clearly erroneous execution reviews. For this reason, the 
Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay requirement and 
designates the proposed rule change as operative upon filing.\17\
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    \15\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \16\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \17\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission also 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 change 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-Phlx-2019-14 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-2019-14. 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

[[Page 16059]]

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-2019-14 and should be submitted on or before May 8, 2019.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\18\
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    \18\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-07631 Filed 4-16-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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