Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Pilot Related to the Market-Wide Circuit Breaker in Rule 4121, 54213-54215 [2019-22026]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 9, 2019 / Notices
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 22 and
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4
thereunder.23
A proposed rule change filed
pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the
Act 24 normally does not become
operative for 30 days after the date of its
filing. However, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) 25
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
requested that the Commission waive
the 30-day operative delay. The
Commission notes that waiver of the
operative delay would allow the
Exchange to effect the changes to its
LLC Agreement and By-Laws, which
would provide more specificity and
would better align provisions in the
Exchange’s LLC Agreement with those
in the LLC Agreements of its affiliates,
in time for the Exchange Board meeting
on September 25, 2019. The
Commission believes that waiver of the
30-day operative delay is consistent
with the protection of investors and the
public interest. Accordingly, the
Commission hereby waives the
operative delay and designates the
proposed rule change operative upon
filing.26
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,
22 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-regulatory organization to
give the Commission written notice of its intent to
file the proposed rule change, along with a brief
description and 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. The Exchange
has satisfied this requirement.
24 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
25 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
26 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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23 17
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17:13 Oct 08, 2019
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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–2019–38 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–2019–38. 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–Phlx–2019–38 and should
be submitted on or before October 30,
2019.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.27
Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019–22012 Filed 10–8–19; 8:45 am]
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–87208; File No. SR–BX–
2019–034]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq
BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change To Extend the Pilot
Related to the Market-Wide Circuit
Breaker in Rule 4121
October 3, 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
September 26, 2019, Nasdaq BX, Inc.
(‘‘BX’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed
rule change as described in Items I and
II, below, which Items have been
prepared by the Exchange. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to extend the
pilot related to the market-wide circuit
breaker in Rule 4121.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange’s website at
https://nasdaqbx.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
Rule 4121 provides a methodology for
determining when to halt trading in all
stocks due to extraordinary market
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
1 15
27 17
PO 00000
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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Fmt 4703
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54213
2 17
E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 9, 2019 / Notices
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volatility (i.e., market-wide circuit
breakers). The market-wide circuit
breaker (‘‘MWCB’’) mechanism under
Rule 4121 was approved by the
Commission to operate on a pilot basis,
the term of which was to coincide with
the pilot period for the Plan to Address
Extraordinary Market Volatility
Pursuant to Rule 608 of Regulation NMS
(the ‘‘LULD Plan’’),3 including any
extensions to the pilot period for the
LULD Plan.4 The Commission recently
approved an amendment to the LULD
Plan for it to operate on a permanent,
rather than pilot, basis.5 In light of the
proposal to make the LULD Plan
permanent, the Exchange amended Rule
4121 to untie the pilot’s effectiveness
from that of the LULD Plan and to
extend the pilot’s effectiveness to the
close of business on October 18, 2019.6
The Exchange now proposes to amend
Rule 4121 to extend the pilot to the
close of business on October 18, 2020.
This filing does not propose any
substantive or additional changes to
Rule 4121. The Exchange will use the
extension period to develop with the
other SROs rules and procedures that
would allow for the periodic testing of
the performance of the MWCB
mechanism, with industry member
participation in such testing. The
extension will also permit the
exchanges to consider enhancements to
the MWCB processes such as
modifications to the Level 3 process.
The market-wide circuit breaker
under Rule 4121 provides an important,
automatic mechanism that is invoked to
promote stability and investor
confidence during a period of
significant stress when securities
markets experience extreme broad-based
declines. All U.S. equity exchanges and
FINRA adopted uniform rules on a pilot
basis relating to market-wide circuit
breakers in 2012 (‘‘MWCB Rules’’),
which are designed to slow the effects
of extreme price movement through
coordinated trading halts across
securities markets when severe price
declines reach levels that may exhaust
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67091
(May 31, 2012), 77 FR 33498 (June 6, 2012). The
LULD Plan provides a mechanism to address
extraordinary market volatility in individual
securities.
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 67090
(May 31, 2012), 77 FR 33531 (June 6, 2012) (SR–
BX–2011–068) (Approval Order); and 68815
(February 1, 2013), 78 FR 9752 (February 11, 2013)
(SR–BX–2013–009) (Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Delay the
Operative Date of a Rule Change to Exchange Rule
4121).
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 85623
(April 11, 2019), 84 FR 16086 (April 17, 2019).
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 85585
(April 10, 2019), 84 FR 15643 (April 16, 2019) (SR–
BX–2019–008).
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17:13 Oct 08, 2019
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market liquidity.7 Market-wide circuit
breakers provide for trading halts in all
equities and options markets during a
severe market decline as measured by a
single-day decline in the S&P 500 Index.
Pursuant to Rule 4121, a market-wide
trading halt will be triggered if the S&P
500 Index declines in price by specified
percentages from the prior day’s closing
price of that index. Currently, the
triggers are set at three circuit breaker
thresholds: 7% (Level 1), 13% (Level 2),
and 20% (Level 3). A market decline
that triggers a Level 1 or Level 2 halt
after 9:30 a.m. ET and before 3:25 p.m.
ET would halt market-wide trading for
15 minutes, while a similar market
decline at or after 3:25 p.m. ET would
not halt market-wide trading. A market
decline that triggers a Level 3 halt, at
any time during the trading day, would
halt market-wide trading until the
primary listing market opens the next
trading day.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
of the Act,8 in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,9
in particular, in that it is designed to
promote just and equitable principles of
trade, to remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system, and, in general to protect
investors and the public interest. The
market-wide circuit breaker mechanism
under Rule 4121 is an important,
automatic mechanism that is invoked to
promote stability and investor
confidence during a period of
significant stress when securities
markets experience extreme broad-based
declines. Extending the market-wide
circuit breaker pilot for an additional
year would ensure the continued,
uninterrupted operation of a consistent
mechanism to halt trading across the
U.S. markets while the Exchange, with
the other SROs, consider and develop
rules and procedures that would allow
for the periodic testing of the
performance of the MWCB mechanism,
which would include industry member
participation in such testing. The
extension will also permit the
exchanges to consider enhancements to
7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67090
(May 31, 2012), 77 FR 33531 (June 6, 2012) (SR–
BATS–2011–038; SR–BYX–2011–025; SR–BX–
2011–068; SR–CBOE–2011–087; SR–C2–2011–024;
SR–CHX–2011–30; SR–EDGA–2011–31; SR–EDGX–
2011–30; SR–FINRA–2011–054; SR–ISE–2011–61;
SR–NASDAQ–2011–131; SR–NSX–2011–11; SR–
NYSE–2011–48; SR–NYSEAmex–2011–73; SR–
NYSEArca–2011–68; SR–Phlx–2011–129) (‘‘MWCB
Approval Order’’).
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
PO 00000
Frm 00113
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
the MWCB processes such as
modifications to the Level 3 process.
The Exchange also believes that the
proposed rule change promotes just and
equitable principles of trade in that it
promotes transparency and uniformity
across markets concerning when and
how to halt trading in all stocks as a
result of extraordinary market volatility.
Based on the foregoing, the Exchange
believes the benefits to market
participants from the MWCB under Rule
4121 should continue on a pilot basis
because the MWCB will promote fair
and orderly markets, and protect
investors and the public interest.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on competition not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act because the
proposal would ensure the continued,
uninterrupted operation of a consistent
mechanism to halt trading across the
U.S. markets while the Exchange, in
conjunction with the other SROs,
consider and develop rules and
procedures that would allow for the
periodic testing of the performance of
the MWCB mechanism. Furthermore, as
noted above, the extension will permit
the exchanges to consider
enhancements to the MWCB processes
such as modifications to the Level 3
process.
Further, the Exchange understands
that FINRA and other national securities
exchanges will file proposals to extend
their rules regarding the market-wide
circuit breaker pilot. 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
E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 9, 2019 / Notices
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 10 and
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4
thereunder.11
A proposed rule change filed under
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 12 normally does not
become operative for 30 days after the
date of filing. However, pursuant to
Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),13 the Commission
may designate a shorter time if such
action is consistent with the protection
of investors and the public interest. The
Exchange has asked the Commission to
waive the 30-day operative delay so that
the proposal may become operative
upon filing. Extending the pilot for an
additional year will allow the
uninterrupted operation of the existing
pilot to halt trading across the U.S.
markets. Therefore, the Commission
believes that waiving the 30-day
operative delay is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public
interest. The Commission hereby
designates the proposed rule change to
be operative upon filing.14
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of the proposed rule change, the
Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if
it appears to the Commission that such
action is necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of the Act. If the
Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
should be approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
BX–2019–034 on the subject line.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
10 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
the Commission written notice of its intent to file
the proposed rule change at least five business days
prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
change, or such shorter time as designated by the
Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this
requirement.
12 Id.
13 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
14 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
operative delay, the Commission has also
considered the proposed rule’s impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
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17:13 Oct 08, 2019
Jkt 250001
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–2019–034. 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–2019–034 and should
be submitted on or before October 30,
2019.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.15
Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019–22026 Filed 10–8–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
54215
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–87213; File No. SR–BX–
2019–032]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq
BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change To Amend BX’s By-Laws
October 3, 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
September 20, 2019, Nasdaq BX, Inc.
(‘‘BX’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed
rule change as described in Items I and
II below, which Items have been
prepared by the Exchange. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend its
By-Laws, as further discussed below.
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange’s website at
https://nasdaqbx.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 Exchange proposes to amend its
By-Laws to (i) harmonize certain
provisions related to the regulatory
independence of the Exchange with
those of the Exchange’s affiliates,
Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘ISE’’), Nasdaq
1 15
15 17
PO 00000
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
Frm 00114
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Sfmt 4703
2 17
E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
09OCN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 9, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54213-54215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22026]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-87208; File No. SR-BX-2019-034]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Pilot
Related to the Market-Wide Circuit Breaker in Rule 4121
October 3, 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 September 26, 2019, Nasdaq BX, Inc. (``BX'' or ``Exchange'') filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'')
the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II, below, which
Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from
interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to extend the pilot related to the market-
wide circuit breaker in Rule 4121.
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
website at https://nasdaqbx.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
Rule 4121 provides a methodology for determining when to halt
trading in all stocks due to extraordinary market
[[Page 54214]]
volatility (i.e., market-wide circuit breakers). The market-wide
circuit breaker (``MWCB'') mechanism under Rule 4121 was approved by
the Commission to operate on a pilot basis, the term of which was to
coincide with the pilot period for the Plan to Address Extraordinary
Market Volatility Pursuant to Rule 608 of Regulation NMS (the ``LULD
Plan''),\3\ including any extensions to the pilot period for the LULD
Plan.\4\ The Commission recently approved an amendment to the LULD Plan
for it to operate on a permanent, rather than pilot, basis.\5\ In light
of the proposal to make the LULD Plan permanent, the Exchange amended
Rule 4121 to untie the pilot's effectiveness from that of the LULD Plan
and to extend the pilot's effectiveness to the close of business on
October 18, 2019.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67091 (May 31,
2012), 77 FR 33498 (June 6, 2012). The LULD Plan provides a
mechanism to address extraordinary market volatility in individual
securities.
\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 67090 (May 31,
2012), 77 FR 33531 (June 6, 2012) (SR-BX-2011-068) (Approval Order);
and 68815 (February 1, 2013), 78 FR 9752 (February 11, 2013) (SR-BX-
2013-009) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change to Delay the Operative Date of a Rule Change to Exchange
Rule 4121).
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 85623 (April 11,
2019), 84 FR 16086 (April 17, 2019).
\6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 85585 (April 10,
2019), 84 FR 15643 (April 16, 2019) (SR-BX-2019-008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange now proposes to amend Rule 4121 to extend the pilot to
the close of business on October 18, 2020. This filing does not propose
any substantive or additional changes to Rule 4121. The Exchange will
use the extension period to develop with the other SROs rules and
procedures that would allow for the periodic testing of the performance
of the MWCB mechanism, with industry member participation in such
testing. The extension will also permit the exchanges to consider
enhancements to the MWCB processes such as modifications to the Level 3
process.
The market-wide circuit breaker under Rule 4121 provides an
important, automatic mechanism that is invoked to promote stability and
investor confidence during a period of significant stress when
securities markets experience extreme broad-based declines. All U.S.
equity exchanges and FINRA adopted uniform rules on a pilot basis
relating to market-wide circuit breakers in 2012 (``MWCB Rules''),
which are designed to slow the effects of extreme price movement
through coordinated trading halts across securities markets when severe
price declines reach levels that may exhaust market liquidity.\7\
Market-wide circuit breakers provide for trading halts in all equities
and options markets during a severe market decline as measured by a
single-day decline in the S&P 500 Index.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67090 (May 31,
2012), 77 FR 33531 (June 6, 2012) (SR-BATS-2011-038; SR-BYX-2011-
025; SR-BX-2011-068; SR-CBOE-2011-087; SR-C2-2011-024; SR-CHX-2011-
30; SR-EDGA-2011-31; SR-EDGX-2011-30; SR-FINRA-2011-054; SR-ISE-
2011-61; SR-NASDAQ-2011-131; SR-NSX-2011-11; SR-NYSE-2011-48; SR-
NYSEAmex-2011-73; SR-NYSEArca-2011-68; SR-Phlx-2011-129) (``MWCB
Approval Order'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pursuant to Rule 4121, a market-wide trading halt will be triggered
if the S&P 500 Index declines in price by specified percentages from
the prior day's closing price of that index. Currently, the triggers
are set at three circuit breaker thresholds: 7% (Level 1), 13% (Level
2), and 20% (Level 3). A market decline that triggers a Level 1 or
Level 2 halt after 9:30 a.m. ET and before 3:25 p.m. ET would halt
market-wide trading for 15 minutes, while a similar market decline at
or after 3:25 p.m. ET would not halt market-wide trading. A market
decline that triggers a Level 3 halt, at any time during the trading
day, would halt market-wide trading until the primary listing market
opens the next trading day.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section
6(b) of the Act,\8\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section
6(b)(5) of the Act,\9\ in particular, in that it is designed to promote
just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market
system, and, in general to protect investors and the public interest.
The market-wide circuit breaker mechanism under Rule 4121 is an
important, automatic mechanism that is invoked to promote stability and
investor confidence during a period of significant stress when
securities markets experience extreme broad-based declines. Extending
the market-wide circuit breaker pilot for an additional year would
ensure the continued, uninterrupted operation of a consistent mechanism
to halt trading across the U.S. markets while the Exchange, with the
other SROs, consider and develop rules and procedures that would allow
for the periodic testing of the performance of the MWCB mechanism,
which would include industry member participation in such testing. The
extension will also permit the exchanges to consider enhancements to
the MWCB processes such as modifications to the Level 3 process.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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The Exchange also believes that the proposed rule change promotes
just and equitable principles of trade in that it promotes transparency
and uniformity across markets concerning when and how to halt trading
in all stocks as a result of extraordinary market volatility. Based on
the foregoing, the Exchange believes the benefits to market
participants from the MWCB under Rule 4121 should continue on a pilot
basis because the MWCB will promote fair and orderly markets, and
protect investors and the public interest.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act because the proposal would
ensure the continued, uninterrupted operation of a consistent mechanism
to halt trading across the U.S. markets while the Exchange, in
conjunction with the other SROs, consider and develop rules and
procedures that would allow for the periodic testing of the performance
of the MWCB mechanism. Furthermore, as noted above, the extension will
permit the exchanges to consider enhancements to the MWCB processes
such as modifications to the Level 3 process.
Further, the Exchange understands that FINRA and other national
securities exchanges will file proposals to extend their rules
regarding the market-wide circuit breaker pilot. 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
[[Page 54215]]
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \10\ and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4
thereunder.\11\
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\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \12\ normally
does not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing.
However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\13\ the Commission may
designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked
the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal
may become operative upon filing. Extending the pilot for an additional
year will allow the uninterrupted operation of the existing pilot to
halt trading across the U.S. markets. Therefore, the Commission
believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public interest. The Commission hereby
designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing.\14\
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\12\ Id.
\13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\14\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to
determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
Use the Commission's internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an email to [email protected]. Please include
File Number SR-BX-2019-034 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-2019-034. 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-2019-034 and
should be submitted on or before October 30, 2019.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\15\
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\15\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-22026 Filed 10-8-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
