Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt a New Rule 9.21-O, Delete Current Rules 9.21-O through 9.25-O, and Amend Rule 10.9551, 36149-36151 [2019-15874]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 144 / Friday, July 26, 2019 / Notices disadvantage upon any category of Exchange Applicant or Member. Moreover, the Exchange does not expect that its proposal will have an adverse impact on competition among exchanges for members; to the contrary, the Exchange hopes that by clarifying, reorganizing, and streamlining its membership rules, and by making the Exchange’s membership process less burdensome for Applicants and Members, the Exchange will improve its competitive standing relative to other exchanges. 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)(iii) of the Act 39 and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder.40 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: jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES 39 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). 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. 40 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:54 Jul 25, 2019 Jkt 247001 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– BX–2019–022 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–BX–2019–022. 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–BX–2019–022, and should be submitted on or before August 16, 2019. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.41 Jill M. Peterson, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–15871 Filed 7–25–19; 8:45 am] SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–86423; File No. SR– NYSEARCA–2019–50] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt a New Rule 9.21–O, Delete Current Rules 9.21–O through 9.25–O, and Amend Rule 10.9551 July 22, 2019. 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 July 9, 2019, NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III 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 (1) adopt a new Rule 9.21–O (Communications with the Public) based on NYSE American Rule 991, (2) delete current Rules 9.21–O through 9.25–O, and (3) amend Rule 10.9551 to add references to proposed Rule 9.21–O. 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. BILLING CODE 8011–01–P PO 00000 1 15 U.S.C.78s(b)(1). U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 2 15 41 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). Frm 00101 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 36149 E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM 26JYN1 36150 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 144 / Friday, July 26, 2019 / Notices A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to (1) adopt a new Rule 9.21–O (Communications with the Public) based on NYSE American Rule 991 (Options Communications), (2) delete Rules 9.21– O through 9.25–O, and (3) amend Rule 10.9551 to add references to proposed Rule 9.21–O. jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES Background and Proposed Rule Filing The Exchange recently adopted a new set of rules governing investigations, discipline of ETP Holders, OTP Holders, OTP Firms, and covered persons, sanctions, cease and desist authority, and other procedural rules modeled on the rules of the Exchange’s affiliates, New York Stock Exchange LLC (‘‘NYSE’’) and NYSE American LLC (‘‘NYSE American’’), as well as those of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’).4 The new disciplinary rules became effective on May 27, 2019.5 In that filing, the Exchange adopted Rule 10.9551 (Failure to Comply with Public Communication Standards), which permits the Exchange’s regulatory staff to issue a written notice requiring an ETP Holder, OTP Holder or OTP Firm to file communications with FINRA’s Advertising Regulation Department at least 10 days prior to use if the staff determined that the ETP Holder had departed from the standards of Rule 9.21–E (Communications with the Public) and ‘‘any applicable options rule.’’ 6 As the filing noted, the Exchange did not have a rule comparable to Rule 9.21–E for the options market and undertook to submit a rule filing to adopt a new Rule 9.21– O based on NYSE American Rule 991 and to amend Rule 10.9551.7 The Exchange accordingly proposes to adopt a new Rule 9.21–O titled ‘‘Communications with the Public.’’ Except for references to OTP Firm and OTP Holder, proposed Rule 9.21–O is substantially the same as NYSE American Rule 991, which was in turn 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34– 85639 (April 12, 2019), 84 FR 16346 (April 18, 2019) (SR–NYSEARCA–2019–15) (Notice) (‘‘Disciplinary Rules Adoption’’). 5 See NYSE Arca Options Regulatory Bulletin 19– 02 (April 26, 2019), available at https:// www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/nyse-arca/ rule-interpretations/2019/Regulatory%20Bulletin %20re%20Arca%20Disciplinary%20Rules.%20 revised%2004.25.19%20V2.pdf. 6 See Disciplinary Rules Adoption, 84 FR at 16370. 7 See id., at n. 62. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:54 Jul 25, 2019 Jkt 247001 based on FINRA Rule 2220.8 The Exchange proposes to delete its current Rules 9.21–O through 9.25–O governing communications with the public as obsolete. The Exchange proposes nonsubstantive conforming changes in Rule 10.9551(a) and (d) to replace the phrase ‘‘and any applicable options rule’’ following ‘‘Pursuant to Rule 9.21– E(c)(5)(B)’’ with ‘‘Rule 9.21–O(c)(2).’’ 2. Statutory Basis The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,9 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,10 in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system. The proposed changes will provide greater harmonization among SROs resulting in less burdensome and more efficient regulatory compliance for common members of the Exchange, the Exchange’s affiliates, and FINRA. As previously noted, the proposed rule text is substantially the same as NYSE American Rule 991, which was in turn modeled on FINRA rules. As such, the proposed rule change would foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities and would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system. The Exchange further believes that adopting NYSE American’s rule governing options communications with the public will provide its permit holders with a clearer, consistent, and more comprehensive regulatory scheme by harmonizing the Exchange’s rule concerning options communications with NYSE American’s rule and the FINRA rule in the same subject matter. The proposed rule change would continue to ensure a uniform regulatory approach and would reduce any potential risks or inefficiencies in rules. The Exchange further notes that the changes proposed herein are neither novel nor controversial and are modeled on existing FINRA rules. 8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61499 (February 4, 2010), 75 FR 6738 (February 10, 2010) (SR–NYSEAmex–2010–04); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82402 (December 26, 2017), 83 FR 179 (January 2, 2018) (SR–NYSEAmex–2017–39). 9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Exchange also believes that the proposal to use the terms ‘‘OTP Firm’’ and ‘‘OTP Holder’’ instead of ‘‘ATP Holder’’ would remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanisms of, a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, protect investors and the public interest because the proposed change would reflect the Exchange’s membership and terminology used in the Exchange’s rulebook, thereby reducing any potential ambiguity and providing clarify to the Exchange’s rules. The proposed use of the terms ‘‘OTP Firm’’ and ‘‘OTP Holder’’ would be consistent with the NYSE American term ‘‘ATP Holder.’’ The Exchange believes that deleting the Exchange’s current options communications with the public as obsolete would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, protect investors and the public interest because it would eliminate rules that are now obsolete or that do not have any substantive content. Eliminating obsolete rules would reduce potential confusion and add transparency and clarity to the Exchange’s rules, thereby ensuring that members, regulators, and the public can more easily navigate and understand the Exchange’s rulebook. Finally, the Exchange believes that the proposed conforming changes to Rule 10.9551(a) would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system by ensuring that market participants can more easily navigate, understand and comply with its rules, thereby reducing potential investor or market participant confusion. 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 proposed rule change is not designed to address any competitive issues. Rather, the proposed change is designed to further harmonize the Exchange’s rule regarding options communications with the comparable rule of the Exchange’s affiliate NYSE American and to make conforming changes to the Exchange’s disciplinary rules. E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM 26JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 144 / Friday, July 26, 2019 / Notices C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 11 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.12 Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative prior to 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) 13 of the Act to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: 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–NYSEARCA–2019–50. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s internet website (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for website viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NYSEARCA–2019–50 and should be submitted on or before August 16, 2019. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.14 Jill M. Peterson, Assistant Secretary. Electronic Comments [FR Doc. 2019–15874 Filed 7–25–19; 8:45 am] • 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– NYSEARCA–2019–50 on the subject line. BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 11 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 13 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). 12 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:54 Jul 25, 2019 14 17 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 36151 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–86422] Order Granting Application by: Nasdaq BX, Inc., Nasdaq GEMX, LLC, Nasdaq ISE, LLC, Nasdaq MRX, LLC, and Nasdaq Phlx LLC for Exemption Pursuant to Section 36(a) of the Exchange Act From the Rule Filing Requirements of Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act With Respect to Certain Rules Incorporated by Reference July 22, 2019. Nasdaq BX, Inc. (‘‘BX’’), Nasdaq GEMX, LLC (‘‘GEMX’’), Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘ISE’’), Nasdaq MRX, LLC (‘‘MRX’’), and Nasdaq Phlx LLC (‘‘Phlx’’) (each the ‘‘Exchange’’ and collectively, the ‘‘Exchanges’’) have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) an application for an exemption under Section 36(a)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’) 1 from the rule filing requirements of Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act 2 with respect to certain rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’) 3 that the Exchanges seek to incorporate by reference.4 Section 36 of the Exchange Act authorizes the Commission to conditionally or unconditionally exempt any person, security, or transaction, or any class thereof, from any provision of the Exchange Act or rule thereunder, if necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors. The Exchanges each filed a proposed rule change under Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act to delete their existing registration, qualification, and continuing education rules 5 and incorporate by reference Nasdaq’s General 4 rules (‘‘Nasdaq Registration and Continuing Education Rules’’), as such rules may be in effect from time to time. The proposed rule changes would 1 15 U.S.C. 78mm(a)(1). U.S.C. 78s(b). 3 Nasdaq is an affiliate of the Exchanges. 4 See Letter from Angela Dunn, Senior Associate General Counsel, Nasdaq Inc., to Vanessa Countryman, Acting Secretary, Commission, dated April 30, 2019 (‘‘Exemptive Request’’). 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 85726 (April 26, 2019) (SR–BX–2019–010), 85737 (April 26, 2019) (SR–GEMX–2019–05), 85728 (April 26, 2019) (SR–ISE–2019–12), 85730 (April 26, 2019) (SR–MRX–2019–09), and 85761 (May 2, 2019) (SR– Phlx–2019–18). Although the proposed rule changes were filed pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Exchange Act, and thereby became effective upon filing with the Commission, the Exchanges stipulated in their proposals that the incorporation by reference would not be operative until such time as the Commission grants this exemptive request. 2 15 E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM 26JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 144 (Friday, July 26, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36149-36151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-15874]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-86423; File No. SR-NYSEARCA-2019-50]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt a New Rule 
9.21-O, Delete Current Rules 9.21-O through 9.25-O, and Amend Rule 
10.9551

July 22, 2019.
    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 July 9, 2019, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'' or the 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, 
and III below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory 
organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C.78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The Exchange proposes to (1) adopt a new Rule 9.21-O 
(Communications with the Public) based on NYSE American Rule 991, (2) 
delete current Rules 9.21-O through 9.25-O, and (3) amend Rule 10.9551 
to add references to proposed Rule 9.21-O. 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.

[[Page 36150]]

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to (1) adopt a new Rule 9.21-O 
(Communications with the Public) based on NYSE American Rule 991 
(Options Communications), (2) delete Rules 9.21-O through 9.25-O, and 
(3) amend Rule 10.9551 to add references to proposed Rule 9.21-O.
Background and Proposed Rule Filing
    The Exchange recently adopted a new set of rules governing 
investigations, discipline of ETP Holders, OTP Holders, OTP Firms, and 
covered persons, sanctions, cease and desist authority, and other 
procedural rules modeled on the rules of the Exchange's affiliates, New 
York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'') and NYSE American LLC (``NYSE 
American''), as well as those of the Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc. (``FINRA'').\4\ The new disciplinary rules became 
effective on May 27, 2019.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-85639 (April 12, 
2019), 84 FR 16346 (April 18, 2019) (SR-NYSEARCA-2019-15) (Notice) 
(``Disciplinary Rules Adoption'').
    \5\ See NYSE Arca Options Regulatory Bulletin 19-02 (April 26, 
2019), available at https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/nyse-arca/rule-interpretations/2019/Regulatory%20Bulletin%20re%20Arca%20Disciplinary%20Rules.%20revised%2004.25.19%20V2.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In that filing, the Exchange adopted Rule 10.9551 (Failure to 
Comply with Public Communication Standards), which permits the 
Exchange's regulatory staff to issue a written notice requiring an ETP 
Holder, OTP Holder or OTP Firm to file communications with FINRA's 
Advertising Regulation Department at least 10 days prior to use if the 
staff determined that the ETP Holder had departed from the standards of 
Rule 9.21-E (Communications with the Public) and ``any applicable 
options rule.'' \6\ As the filing noted, the Exchange did not have a 
rule comparable to Rule 9.21-E for the options market and undertook to 
submit a rule filing to adopt a new Rule 9.21-O based on NYSE American 
Rule 991 and to amend Rule 10.9551.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See Disciplinary Rules Adoption, 84 FR at 16370.
    \7\ See id., at n. 62.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange accordingly proposes to adopt a new Rule 9.21-O titled 
``Communications with the Public.'' Except for references to OTP Firm 
and OTP Holder, proposed Rule 9.21-O is substantially the same as NYSE 
American Rule 991, which was in turn based on FINRA Rule 2220.\8\ The 
Exchange proposes to delete its current Rules 9.21-O through 9.25-O 
governing communications with the public as obsolete.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61499 (February 4, 
2010), 75 FR 6738 (February 10, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-04); 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82402 (December 26, 2017), 83 FR 
179 (January 2, 2018) (SR-NYSEAmex-2017-39).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange proposes non-substantive conforming changes in Rule 
10.9551(a) and (d) to replace the phrase ``and any applicable options 
rule'' following ``Pursuant to Rule 9.21-E(c)(5)(B)'' with ``Rule 9.21-
O(c)(2).''
2. Statutory Basis
    The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the 
Act,\9\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of 
the Act,\10\ in particular, in that it is designed to prevent 
fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and 
equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination 
with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, and to 
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open 
market and a national market system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed changes will provide greater harmonization among SROs 
resulting in less burdensome and more efficient regulatory compliance 
for common members of the Exchange, the Exchange's affiliates, and 
FINRA. As previously noted, the proposed rule text is substantially the 
same as NYSE American Rule 991, which was in turn modeled on FINRA 
rules. As such, the proposed rule change would foster cooperation and 
coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in 
securities and would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of 
a free and open market and a national market system. The Exchange 
further believes that adopting NYSE American's rule governing options 
communications with the public will provide its permit holders with a 
clearer, consistent, and more comprehensive regulatory scheme by 
harmonizing the Exchange's rule concerning options communications with 
NYSE American's rule and the FINRA rule in the same subject matter. The 
proposed rule change would continue to ensure a uniform regulatory 
approach and would reduce any potential risks or inefficiencies in 
rules. The Exchange further notes that the changes proposed herein are 
neither novel nor controversial and are modeled on existing FINRA 
rules.
    The Exchange also believes that the proposal to use the terms ``OTP 
Firm'' and ``OTP Holder'' instead of ``ATP Holder'' would remove 
impediments to, and perfect the mechanisms of, a free and open market 
and a national market system and, in general, protect investors and the 
public interest because the proposed change would reflect the 
Exchange's membership and terminology used in the Exchange's rulebook, 
thereby reducing any potential ambiguity and providing clarify to the 
Exchange's rules. The proposed use of the terms ``OTP Firm'' and ``OTP 
Holder'' would be consistent with the NYSE American term ``ATP 
Holder.''
    The Exchange believes that deleting the Exchange's current options 
communications with the public as obsolete would remove impediments to 
and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national 
market system and, in general, protect investors and the public 
interest because it would eliminate rules that are now obsolete or that 
do not have any substantive content. Eliminating obsolete rules would 
reduce potential confusion and add transparency and clarity to the 
Exchange's rules, thereby ensuring that members, regulators, and the 
public can more easily navigate and understand the Exchange's rulebook.
    Finally, the Exchange believes that the proposed conforming changes 
to Rule 10.9551(a) would remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system by 
ensuring that market participants can more easily navigate, understand 
and comply with its rules, thereby reducing potential investor or 
market participant confusion.

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 proposed rule change is 
not designed to address any competitive issues. Rather, the proposed 
change is designed to further harmonize the Exchange's rule regarding 
options communications with the comparable rule of the Exchange's 
affiliate NYSE American and to make conforming changes to the 
Exchange's disciplinary rules.

[[Page 36151]]

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

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

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

    The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \11\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\12\ 
Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the 
protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any 
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative prior to 
30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as 
the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission 
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under 
Section 19(b)(2)(B) \13\ of the Act to determine whether the proposed 
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-NYSEARCA-2019-50 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEARCA-2019-50. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's internet website (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). 
Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written 
statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with 
the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed 
rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those 
that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions 
of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for website viewing and printing in 
the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 
20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 
3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection 
and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments 
received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are 
cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying 
information from comment submissions. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEARCA-2019-50 and 
should be submitted on or before August 16, 2019.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\14\
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    \14\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-15874 Filed 7-25-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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