Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change to List and Trade Shares of the American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF and American Century Focused Large Cap Value ETF Under Currently Proposed Rule 14.11(k), 51215-51217 [2019-20971]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 188 / Friday, September 27, 2019 / Notices
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–87059; File No. SR–
CboeBZX–2019–057]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe
BZX Exchange, Inc.; Order Instituting
Proceedings To Determine Whether To
Approve or Disapprove a Proposed
Rule Change to List and Trade Shares
of the American Century Focused
Dynamic Growth ETF and American
Century Focused Large Cap Value ETF
Under Currently Proposed Rule
14.11(k)
September 23, 2019.
On June 6, 2019, Cboe BZX Exchange,
Inc. (‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX’’) filed with
the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant
to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange
Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a
proposed rule change to list and trade
shares of the American Century Focused
Dynamic Growth ETF and American
Century Focused Large Cap Value ETF
(each a ‘‘Fund’’ and, collectively, the
‘‘Funds’’) under proposed BZX Rule
14.11(k).3 The proposed rule change
was published for comment in the
Federal Register on June 25, 2019.4 On
August 2, 2019, pursuant to Section
19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act,5 the
Commission designated a longer period
within which to approve the proposed
rule change, disapprove the proposed
rule change, or institute proceedings to
determine whether to disapprove the
proposed rule change.6 The Commission
has received no comments on the
proposed rule change. This order
institutes proceedings under Section
19(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act 7 to
determine whether to approve or
disapprove the proposed rule change.
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 86157
(June 19, 2019), 84 FR 29892 (June 25, 2019)
(‘‘Managed Portfolio Shares Proposal’’). Pursuant to
the Managed Portfolio Shares Proposal, the
Exchange proposes to adopt new BZX Rule 14.11(k)
to permit the listing and trading of Managed
Portfolio Shares. The Managed Portfolio Shares
Proposal has not yet been acted upon by the
Commission.
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 86155
(June 19, 2019), 84 FR 29912 (‘‘Notice’’).
5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 86557,
84 FR 39024 (August 8, 2019). The Commission
designated September 23, 2019, as the date by
which the Commission shall approve or disapprove,
or institute proceedings to determine whether to
disapprove, the proposed rule change.
7 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES
2 17
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:29 Sep 26, 2019
Jkt 247001
I. Summary of the Exchange’s
Description of the Proposed Rule
Change 8
The Exchange proposes to list and
trade shares of the Funds under
proposed BZX Rule 14.11(k).9 The
shares of each Fund will be issued by
American Century ETF Trust (‘‘Trust’’),
a statutory trust organized under the
laws of the State of Delaware and
registered with the Commission as an
open-end management investment
company.10 The investment adviser to
the Trust will be American Century
Investment Management, Inc.
(‘‘Adviser’’).11 Foreside Fund Services,
LLC will serve as the distributor of each
Fund’s shares.
A. American Century Focused Dynamic
Growth ETF
The Exchange states that the
American Century Focused Dynamic
Growth ETF seeks long-term capital
growth. Under Normal Market
Conditions,12 the Fund intends to invest
primarily in U.S. exchange-listed equity
securities. In addition, the Fund may
invest in exchange-traded funds
(‘‘ETFs’’),13 exchange-listed American
8 For a complete description of the Exchange’s
proposal, see the Notice, supra note 4.
9 For a complete description of proposed BZX
Rule 14.11(k), see the Managed Portfolio Shares
Proposal, supra note 3.
10 The Trust is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (‘‘1940 Act’’). On June 18,
2018, the Trust filed a registration statement on
Form N–1A relating to the Funds (File No. 811–
23305). The Exchange states that the Trust filed an
application for exemptive relief under the 1940 Act
(File No. 812–15035), and shares of the Funds will
not be issued until the Commission has issued an
order granting exemptive relief.
11 The Exchange states that the Adviser is not
registered as a broker-dealer, but is affiliated with
a broker-dealer and has implemented and will
maintain a ‘‘fire wall’’ with respect to such brokerdealer regarding access to information concerning
the composition of and/or changes to a Fund’s
portfolio. The Exchange further states that in the
event (a) the Adviser becomes registered as a
broker-dealer or becomes newly affiliated with a
broker-dealer, or (b) any new adviser or sub-adviser
is a registered broker-dealer or becomes affiliated
with a broker-dealer, it will implement and
maintain a fire wall with respect to its relevant
personnel or its broker-dealer affiliate regarding
access to information concerning the composition
and/or changes to the portfolio, and will be subject
to procedures designed to prevent the use and
dissemination of material non-public information
regarding such portfolio.
12 The term ‘‘Normal Market Conditions’’
includes, but is not limited to, the absence of
trading halts in the applicable financial markets
generally; operational issues causing dissemination
of inaccurate market information or system failures;
or force majeure type events such as natural or manmade disaster, act of God, armed conflict, act of
terrorism, riot or labor disruption, or any similar
intervening circumstance.
13 For purposes of describing the holdings of the
Funds, ETFs include Portfolio Depository Receipts
(as described in BZX Rule 14.11(b)); Index Fund
Shares (as described in BZX Rule 14.11(c)); and
PO 00000
Frm 00109
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
51215
Depositary Receipts (‘‘ADRs’’), U.S.
exchange-listed equity futures contracts,
and U.S. exchange-listed equity index
futures contracts. The Fund may also
hold cash and Cash Equivalents 14
without limitation.
B. American Century Focused Large Cap
Value ETF
The Exchange states that the
American Century Focused Large Cap
Value ETF will seek long-term capital
growth. Under Normal Market
Conditions, the Fund intends to invest
primarily in U.S. exchange-listed equity
securities. In addition, the Fund may
invest in ETFs, exchange-listed ADRs,
U.S. exchange-listed equity futures
contracts, and U.S. exchange-listed
equity index futures contracts. The
Fund may also hold cash and Cash
Equivalents without limitation.
C. Investment Restrictions
All exchange-listed equity securities
in which the Funds will invest will be
listed and traded on U.S. national
securities exchanges. The Funds will
not invest in forwards or swaps.
Each Fund’s investments will be
consistent with its investment objective
and will not be used to enhance
leverage.
Each Fund may hold up to an
aggregate amount of 15% of its total
assets in illiquid assets,15 consistent
with Commission guidance. Each Fund
will monitor its portfolio liquidity on an
ongoing basis to determine whether, in
light of current circumstances, an
Managed Fund Shares (as described in BZX Rule
14.11(i)). The ETFs in which a Fund will invest all
will be listed and traded on U.S. national securities
exchanges. While the Funds may invest in inverse
ETFs, the Funds will not invest in leveraged (e.g.,
2X, –2X, 3X or –3X) ETFs.
14 For purposes of this filing, ‘‘Cash Equivalents’’
are short-term instruments with maturities of less
than three months, which include only the
following: (i) U.S. Government securities, including
bills, notes, and bonds differing as to maturity and
rates of interest, which are either issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S.
Government agencies or instrumentalities; (ii)
certificates of deposit issued against funds
deposited in a bank or savings and loan association;
(iii) bankers acceptances, which are short-term
credit instruments used to finance commercial
transactions; (iv) repurchase agreements and reverse
repurchase agreements; (v) bank time deposits,
which are monies kept on deposit with banks or
savings and loan associations for a stated period of
time at a fixed rate of interest; (vi) commercial
paper, which are short-term unsecured promissory
notes; and (vii) money market funds.
15 In reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser
may consider the following factors: The frequency
of trades and quotes for the security; the number of
dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and
the number of other potential purchasers; dealer
undertakings to make a market in the security; and
the nature of the security and the nature of the
marketplace in which it trades (e.g., the time
needed to dispose of the security, the method of
soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer).
E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM
27SEN1
51216
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 188 / Friday, September 27, 2019 / Notices
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES
adequate level of liquidity is being
maintained, and will consider taking
appropriate steps in order to maintain
adequate liquidity. Illiquid assets
include securities subject to contractual
or other restrictions on resale and other
instruments that lack readily available
markets as determined in accordance
with Commission staff guidance. In any
event, the Funds will not purchase any
securities that are illiquid investments
at the time of purchase.
The shares of each Fund will conform
to the initial and continued listing
criteria under proposed BZX Rule
14.11(k). The Exchange states that each
Fund’s holdings will also meet the
generic listing standards applicable to
series of Managed Fund Shares under
BZX Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C). While such
standards do not apply directly to series
of Managed Portfolio Shares, the
Exchange believes that the overarching
policy issues related to liquidity, market
capitalization, diversity, and
concentration of portfolio holdings that
BZX Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C) is intended to
address are equally applicable to series
of Managed Portfolio Shares.
II. Proceedings To Determine Whether
To Approve or Disapprove SR–
CboeBZX–2019–057 and Grounds for
Disapproval Under Consideration
The Commission is instituting
proceedings pursuant to Section
19(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act 16 to
determine whether the proposed rule
change should be approved or
disapproved. Institution of such
proceedings is appropriate at this time
in view of the legal and policy issues
raised by the proposed rule change.
Institution of proceedings does not
indicate that the Commission has
reached any conclusions with respect to
any of the issues involved. Rather, as
described below, the Commission seeks
and encourages interested persons to
provide comments on the proposed rule
change.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the
Exchange Act,17 the Commission is
providing notice of the grounds for
disapproval under consideration. The
Commission is instituting proceedings
to allow for additional analysis of the
proposed rule change’s consistency with
Section 6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act,
which requires, among other things, that
the rules of a national securities
exchange be ‘‘designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, . . . to remove
impediments to and perfect the
16 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
17 Id.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:29 Sep 26, 2019
Jkt 247001
mechanism of a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in
general, to protect investors and the
public interest.’’ 18
III. Procedure: Request for Written
Comments
The Commission requests that
interested persons provide written
submissions of their views, data, and
arguments with respect to the issues
identified above, as well as any other
concerns they may have with the
proposal. In particular, the Commission
invites the written views of interested
persons concerning whether the
proposal is consistent with Section
6(b)(5) or any other provision of the
Exchange Act, or the rules and
regulations thereunder. Although there
do not appear to be any issues relevant
to approval or disapproval that would
be facilitated by an oral presentation of
views, data, and arguments, the
Commission will consider, pursuant to
Rule 19b–4, any request for an
opportunity to make an oral
presentation.19
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments regarding whether the
proposal should be approved or
disapproved by October 18, 2019. Any
person who wishes to file a rebuttal to
any other person’s submission must file
that rebuttal by November 1, 2019.
The Commission asks that
commenters address the sufficiency of
the Exchange’s statements in support of
the proposal, which are set forth in the
Notice,20 and any other issues raised by
the proposed rule change under the
Exchange Act. In particular, the
Commission seeks commenters’ views
regarding whether the Exchange’s
proposal to list and trade the Funds
under proposed Rule 14.11(k) (Managed
Portfolio Shares), which would be
actively managed exchange-traded
products for which the portfolio
holdings would be disclosed on a
quarterly, rather than daily, basis, is
adequately designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, and to protect
investors and the public interest, and is
18 15
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act, as
amended by the Securities Act Amendments of
1975, Public Law 94–29 (June 4, 1975), grants the
Commission flexibility to determine what type of
proceeding—either oral or notice and opportunity
for written comments—is appropriate for
consideration of a particular proposal by a selfregulatory organization. See Securities Act
Amendments of 1975, Senate Comm. on Banking,
Housing & Urban Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th
Cong., 1st Sess. 30 (1975).
20 See supra note 4.
19 Section
PO 00000
Frm 00110
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
consistent with the maintenance of a
fair and orderly market under the
Exchange 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 SRCboeBZX–2019–057 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–CboeBZX–2019–057. 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–CboeBZX–2019–057 and
should be submitted on or before
October 18, 2019. Rebuttal comments
should be submitted by November 1,
2019.
E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM
27SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 188 / Friday, September 27, 2019 / Notices
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.21
Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019–20971 Filed 9–26–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Investment Company Act Release No.
33631; 812–15034]
Core Alternative Capital, LLC, Listed
Funds Trust, and Quasar Distributors,
LLC
September 24, 2019.
Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’).
ACTION: Notice.
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
Notice of an application for an order
under section 6(c) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the ‘‘Act’’) for an
exemption from sections 2(a)(32),
5(a)(1), 22(d), and 22(e) of the Act and
rule 22c–1 under the Act, under
sections 6(c) and 17(b) of the Act for an
exemption from sections 17(a)(1) and
17(a)(2) of the Act, and under section
12(d)(1)(J) of the Act for an exemption
from sections 12(d)(1)(A) and
12(d)(1)(B) of the Act. The requested
order would permit (a) activelymanaged series of certain open-end
management investment companies
(‘‘Funds’’) to issue shares redeemable in
large aggregations only (‘‘Creation
Units’’); (b) secondary market
transactions in Fund shares to occur at
negotiated market prices rather than at
net asset value (‘‘NAV’’); (c) certain
Funds to pay redemption proceeds,
under certain circumstances, more than
seven days after the tender of shares for
redemption; (d) certain affiliated
persons of a Fund to deposit securities
into, and receive securities from, the
Fund in connection with the purchase
and redemption of Creation Units; (e)
certain registered management
investment companies and unit
investment trusts outside of the same
group of investment companies as the
Funds (‘‘Funds of Funds’’) to acquire
shares of the Funds; (f) certain Funds
(‘‘Feeder Funds’’) to create and redeem
Creation Units in-kind in a masterfeeder structure; and (g) the Funds to
issue shares in less than Creation Unit
size to investors participating in a
distribution reinvestment program.
Applicants: Core Alternative Capital,
LLC (‘‘Initial Adviser’’), a Georgia
limited liability company registered as
21 17
18:29 Sep 26, 2019
Summary of the Application
1. Applicants request an order that
would allow Funds to operate as
actively-managed exchange traded
funds (‘‘ETFs’’).1 Fund shares will be
1 Applicants request that the order apply to the
new series of the Trust described in the application,
CFR 200.30–3(a)(57).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Listed
Funds Trust (‘‘Trust’’), a Delaware
statutory trust registered under the Act
as an open-end management investment
company with multiple series, and
Quasar Distributors, LLC (‘‘Initial
Distributor’’), a Delaware limited
liability company registered as a brokerdealer under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’).
Filing Dates: The application was
filed on May 17, 2019 and amended on
September 23, 2019.
Hearing or Notification of Hearing: An
order granting the requested relief will
be issued unless the Commission orders
a hearing. Interested persons may
request a hearing by writing to the
Commission’s Secretary and serving
applicants with a copy of the request,
personally or by mail. Hearing requests
should be received by the Commission
by 5:30 p.m. on October 21, 2019, and
should be accompanied by proof of
service on applicants, in the form of an
affidavit, or for lawyers, a certificate of
service. Pursuant to rule 0–5 under the
Act, hearing requests should state the
nature of the writer’s interest, any facts
bearing upon the desirability of a
hearing on the matter, the reason for the
request, and the issues contested.
Persons who wish to be notified of a
hearing may request notification by
writing to the Commission’s Secretary.
ADDRESSES: Secretary, Securities and
Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE,
Washington, DC 20549–1090;
Applicants, c/o Laura Flores, Morgan,
Lewis & Bockius LLP, 1111
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20004; or Kent P. Barnes, U.S. Bank
Global Fund Services, 615 E Michigan
Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Zeena Abdul-Rahman, Senior Counsel,
at (202) 551–4099, or Andrea
Ottomanelli Magovern, Branch Chief, at
(202) 551–6825 (Division of Investment
Management, Chief Counsel’s Office).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
following is a summary of the
application. The complete application
may be obtained via the Commission’s
website by searching for the file
number, or for an applicant using the
Company name box, at https://
www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by
calling (202) 551–8090.
Jkt 247001
PO 00000
Frm 00111
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
51217
purchased and redeemed at their NAV
in Creation Units only (other than
pursuant to a distribution reinvestment
program described in the application).
All orders to purchase Creation Units
and all redemption requests will be
placed by or through an ‘‘Authorized
Participant’’ which will have signed a
participant agreement with the
Distributor. Shares will be listed and
traded individually on a national
securities exchange, where share prices
will be based on the current bid/offer
market. Certain Funds may operate as
Feeder Funds in a master-feeder
structure. Any order granting the
requested relief would be subject to the
terms and conditions stated in the
application.
2. Each Fund will consist of a
portfolio of securities and other assets
and investment positions (‘‘Portfolio
Instruments’’). Each Fund will disclose
on its website the identities and
quantities of the Portfolio Instruments
that will form the basis for the Fund’s
calculation of NAV at the end of the
day.
3. Shares will be purchased and
redeemed in Creation Units only and
generally on an in-kind basis, or issued
in less than Creation Unit size to
investors participating in a distribution
reinvestment program. Except where the
purchase or redemption will include
cash under the limited circumstances
specified in the application, purchasers
will be required to purchase Creation
Units by depositing specified
instruments (‘‘Deposit Instruments’’),
and shareholders redeeming their shares
will receive specified instruments
(‘‘Redemption Instruments’’). The
Deposit Instruments and the
Redemption Instruments will each
correspond pro rata to the positions in
the Fund’s portfolio (including cash
positions) except as specified in the
application.
4. Because shares will not be
individually redeemable, applicants
request an exemption from section
5(a)(1) and section 2(a)(32) of the Act
that would permit the Funds to register
as open-end management investment
as well as to additional series of the Trust and any
other open-end management investment companies
or series thereof that currently exist or that may be
created in the future (each, included in the term
‘‘Fund’’), each of which will operate as an activelymanaged ETF. Any Fund will (a) be advised by the
Initial Adviser or an entity controlling, controlled
by, or under common control with the Initial
Adviser (each such entity and any successor thereto
is included in the term ‘‘Adviser’’) and (b) comply
with the terms and conditions of the application.
For purposes of the requested Order, the term
‘‘successor’’ is limited to an entity that results from
a reorganization into another jurisdiction or a
change in the type of business organization.
E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM
27SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 188 (Friday, September 27, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51215-51217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20971]
[[Page 51215]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-87059; File No. SR-CboeBZX-2019-057]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Order
Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a
Proposed Rule Change to List and Trade Shares of the American Century
Focused Dynamic Growth ETF and American Century Focused Large Cap Value
ETF Under Currently Proposed Rule 14.11(k)
September 23, 2019.
On June 6, 2019, Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (``Exchange'' or ``BZX'')
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission''),
pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Exchange Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule
change to list and trade shares of the American Century Focused Dynamic
Growth ETF and American Century Focused Large Cap Value ETF (each a
``Fund'' and, collectively, the ``Funds'') under proposed BZX Rule
14.11(k).\3\ The proposed rule change was published for comment in the
Federal Register on June 25, 2019.\4\ On August 2, 2019, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act,\5\ the Commission designated a
longer period within which to approve the proposed rule change,
disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to
determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule change.\6\ The
Commission has received no comments on the proposed rule change. This
order institutes proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange
Act \7\ to determine whether to approve or disapprove the proposed rule
change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 86157 (June 19,
2019), 84 FR 29892 (June 25, 2019) (``Managed Portfolio Shares
Proposal''). Pursuant to the Managed Portfolio Shares Proposal, the
Exchange proposes to adopt new BZX Rule 14.11(k) to permit the
listing and trading of Managed Portfolio Shares. The Managed
Portfolio Shares Proposal has not yet been acted upon by the
Commission.
\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 86155 (June 19,
2019), 84 FR 29912 (``Notice'').
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
\6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 86557, 84 FR 39024
(August 8, 2019). The Commission designated September 23, 2019, as
the date by which the Commission shall approve or disapprove, or
institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove, the
proposed rule change.
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Summary of the Exchange's Description of the Proposed Rule Change
\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ For a complete description of the Exchange's proposal, see
the Notice, supra note 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange proposes to list and trade shares of the Funds under
proposed BZX Rule 14.11(k).\9\ The shares of each Fund will be issued
by American Century ETF Trust (``Trust''), a statutory trust organized
under the laws of the State of Delaware and registered with the
Commission as an open-end management investment company.\10\ The
investment adviser to the Trust will be American Century Investment
Management, Inc. (``Adviser'').\11\ Foreside Fund Services, LLC will
serve as the distributor of each Fund's shares.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ For a complete description of proposed BZX Rule 14.11(k),
see the Managed Portfolio Shares Proposal, supra note 3.
\10\ The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (``1940 Act''). On June 18, 2018, the Trust filed a
registration statement on Form N-1A relating to the Funds (File No.
811-23305). The Exchange states that the Trust filed an application
for exemptive relief under the 1940 Act (File No. 812-15035), and
shares of the Funds will not be issued until the Commission has
issued an order granting exemptive relief.
\11\ The Exchange states that the Adviser is not registered as a
broker-dealer, but is affiliated with a broker-dealer and has
implemented and will maintain a ``fire wall'' with respect to such
broker-dealer regarding access to information concerning the
composition of and/or changes to a Fund's portfolio. The Exchange
further states that in the event (a) the Adviser becomes registered
as a broker-dealer or becomes newly affiliated with a broker-dealer,
or (b) any new adviser or sub-adviser is a registered broker-dealer
or becomes affiliated with a broker-dealer, it will implement and
maintain a fire wall with respect to its relevant personnel or its
broker-dealer affiliate regarding access to information concerning
the composition and/or changes to the portfolio, and will be subject
to procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of
material non-public information regarding such portfolio.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF
The Exchange states that the American Century Focused Dynamic
Growth ETF seeks long-term capital growth. Under Normal Market
Conditions,\12\ the Fund intends to invest primarily in U.S. exchange-
listed equity securities. In addition, the Fund may invest in exchange-
traded funds (``ETFs''),\13\ exchange-listed American Depositary
Receipts (``ADRs''), U.S. exchange-listed equity futures contracts, and
U.S. exchange-listed equity index futures contracts. The Fund may also
hold cash and Cash Equivalents \14\ without limitation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ The term ``Normal Market Conditions'' includes, but is not
limited to, the absence of trading halts in the applicable financial
markets generally; operational issues causing dissemination of
inaccurate market information or system failures; or force majeure
type events such as natural or man-made disaster, act of God, armed
conflict, act of terrorism, riot or labor disruption, or any similar
intervening circumstance.
\13\ For purposes of describing the holdings of the Funds, ETFs
include Portfolio Depository Receipts (as described in BZX Rule
14.11(b)); Index Fund Shares (as described in BZX Rule 14.11(c));
and Managed Fund Shares (as described in BZX Rule 14.11(i)). The
ETFs in which a Fund will invest all will be listed and traded on
U.S. national securities exchanges. While the Funds may invest in
inverse ETFs, the Funds will not invest in leveraged (e.g., 2X, -2X,
3X or -3X) ETFs.
\14\ For purposes of this filing, ``Cash Equivalents'' are
short-term instruments with maturities of less than three months,
which include only the following: (i) U.S. Government securities,
including bills, notes, and bonds differing as to maturity and rates
of interest, which are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Treasury or by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities; (ii)
certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or
savings and loan association; (iii) bankers acceptances, which are
short-term credit instruments used to finance commercial
transactions; (iv) repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase
agreements; (v) bank time deposits, which are monies kept on deposit
with banks or savings and loan associations for a stated period of
time at a fixed rate of interest; (vi) commercial paper, which are
short-term unsecured promissory notes; and (vii) money market funds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. American Century Focused Large Cap Value ETF
The Exchange states that the American Century Focused Large Cap
Value ETF will seek long-term capital growth. Under Normal Market
Conditions, the Fund intends to invest primarily in U.S. exchange-
listed equity securities. In addition, the Fund may invest in ETFs,
exchange-listed ADRs, U.S. exchange-listed equity futures contracts,
and U.S. exchange-listed equity index futures contracts. The Fund may
also hold cash and Cash Equivalents without limitation.
C. Investment Restrictions
All exchange-listed equity securities in which the Funds will
invest will be listed and traded on U.S. national securities exchanges.
The Funds will not invest in forwards or swaps.
Each Fund's investments will be consistent with its investment
objective and will not be used to enhance leverage.
Each Fund may hold up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its total
assets in illiquid assets,\15\ consistent with Commission guidance.
Each Fund will monitor its portfolio liquidity on an ongoing basis to
determine whether, in light of current circumstances, an
[[Page 51216]]
adequate level of liquidity is being maintained, and will consider
taking appropriate steps in order to maintain adequate liquidity.
Illiquid assets include securities subject to contractual or other
restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily
available markets as determined in accordance with Commission staff
guidance. In any event, the Funds will not purchase any securities that
are illiquid investments at the time of purchase.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ In reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser may consider
the following factors: The frequency of trades and quotes for the
security; the number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the
security and the number of other potential purchasers; dealer
undertakings to make a market in the security; and the nature of the
security and the nature of the marketplace in which it trades (e.g.,
the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting
offers and the mechanics of transfer).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shares of each Fund will conform to the initial and continued
listing criteria under proposed BZX Rule 14.11(k). The Exchange states
that each Fund's holdings will also meet the generic listing standards
applicable to series of Managed Fund Shares under BZX Rule
14.11(i)(4)(C). While such standards do not apply directly to series of
Managed Portfolio Shares, the Exchange believes that the overarching
policy issues related to liquidity, market capitalization, diversity,
and concentration of portfolio holdings that BZX Rule 14.11(i)(4)(C) is
intended to address are equally applicable to series of Managed
Portfolio Shares.
II. Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove SR-
CboeBZX-2019-057 and Grounds for Disapproval Under Consideration
The Commission is instituting proceedings pursuant to Section
19(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act \16\ to determine whether the proposed
rule change should be approved or disapproved. Institution of such
proceedings is appropriate at this time in view of the legal and policy
issues raised by the proposed rule change. Institution of proceedings
does not indicate that the Commission has reached any conclusions with
respect to any of the issues involved. Rather, as described below, the
Commission seeks and encourages interested persons to provide comments
on the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act,\17\ the
Commission is providing notice of the grounds for disapproval under
consideration. The Commission is instituting proceedings to allow for
additional analysis of the proposed rule change's consistency with
Section 6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act, which requires, among other
things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be ``designed
to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote
just and equitable principles of trade, . . . to remove impediments to
and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national
market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public
interest.'' \18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ Id.
\18\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
III. Procedure: Request for Written Comments
The Commission requests that interested persons provide written
submissions of their views, data, and arguments with respect to the
issues identified above, as well as any other concerns they may have
with the proposal. In particular, the Commission invites the written
views of interested persons concerning whether the proposal is
consistent with Section 6(b)(5) or any other provision of the Exchange
Act, or the rules and regulations thereunder. Although there do not
appear to be any issues relevant to approval or disapproval that would
be facilitated by an oral presentation of views, data, and arguments,
the Commission will consider, pursuant to Rule 19b-4, any request for
an opportunity to make an oral presentation.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\19\ Section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act, as amended by the
Securities Act Amendments of 1975, Public Law 94-29 (June 4, 1975),
grants the Commission flexibility to determine what type of
proceeding--either oral or notice and opportunity for written
comments--is appropriate for consideration of a particular proposal
by a self-regulatory organization. See Securities Act Amendments of
1975, Senate Comm. on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs, S. Rep. No.
75, 94th Cong., 1st Sess. 30 (1975).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments regarding whether the proposal should be approved or
disapproved by October 18, 2019. Any person who wishes to file a
rebuttal to any other person's submission must file that rebuttal by
November 1, 2019.
The Commission asks that commenters address the sufficiency of the
Exchange's statements in support of the proposal, which are set forth
in the Notice,\20\ and any other issues raised by the proposed rule
change under the Exchange Act. In particular, the Commission seeks
commenters' views regarding whether the Exchange's proposal to list and
trade the Funds under proposed Rule 14.11(k) (Managed Portfolio
Shares), which would be actively managed exchange-traded products for
which the portfolio holdings would be disclosed on a quarterly, rather
than daily, basis, is adequately designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, and to protect investors and the public interest,
and is consistent with the maintenance of a fair and orderly market
under the Exchange Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\20\ See supra note 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-CboeBZX-2019-057 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-CboeBZX-2019-057. 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-CboeBZX-2019-057 and should be submitted
on or before October 18, 2019. Rebuttal comments should be submitted by
November 1, 2019.
[[Page 51217]]
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\21\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(57).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-20971 Filed 9-26-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P