Self-Regulatory Organizations; MIAX PEARL, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the MIAX Pearl Options Fee Schedule With Respect to Open-Close Report Data, 52705-52709 [2021-20455]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 22, 2021 / Notices records must be maintained, what entities may perform this function, and how long records must be preserved. Under Rule 303, ATSs are required to preserve all records made pursuant to Rule 302, which includes information relating to subscribers, trading summaries, and time-sequenced order information. Rule 303 also requires ATSs to preserve any notices provided to subscribers, including, but not limited to, notices regarding the ATSs operations and subscriber access. For an ATS subject to the fair access requirements described in Rule 301(b)(5)(ii) of Regulation ATS, Rule 303 further requires the ATS to preserve at least one copy of its standards for access to trading, all documents relevant to the ATS’s decision to grant, deny, or limit access to any person, and all other documents made or received by the ATS in the course of complying with Rule 301(b)(5) of Regulation ATS. For an ATS subject to the capacity, integrity, and security requirements for automated systems under Rule 301(b)(6) of Regulation ATS, Rule 303 requires an ATS to preserve all documents made or received by the ATS related to its compliance, including all correspondence, memoranda, papers, books, notices, accounts, reports, test scripts, test results and other similar records. Rule 303(a)(1)(v) of Regulation ATS requires every ATS to preserve the written safeguards and written procedures mandated under Rule 301(b)(10). As provided in Rule 303(a)(1), ATSs are required to keep all of these records, as applicable, for a period of at least three years, the first two in an easily accessible place. In addition, Rule 303 requires ATSs to preserve records of partnership articles, articles of incorporation or charter, minute books, stock certificate books, copies of reports filed pursuant to Rule 301(b)(2) and Rule 304, and records made pursuant to Rule 301(b)(5) for the life of the ATS. ATSs that trade both NMS Stock and securities other than NMS Stock are required to file, and also preserve under Rule 303, both Form ATS and related amendments and Form ATS–N and related amendments. The information contained in the records required to be preserved by Rule 303 will be used by examiners and other representatives of the Commission, state securities regulatory authorities, and the self-regulatory organizations (‘‘SROs’’) to ensure that ATSs are in compliance with Regulation ATS as well as other applicable rules and regulations. Without the data required by the Rule, regulators would be limited in their ability to comply with their statutory VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:44 Sep 21, 2021 Jkt 253001 obligations, provide for the protection of investors, and promote the maintenance of fair and orderly markets. Respondents consist of ATSs that choose to register as broker-dealers and comply with the requirements of Regulation ATS. There are currently 94 respondents. The Commission believes that the average ongoing hourly burden for a respondent to comply with the baseline record preservation requirements under Rule 303 is approximately 15 hours per year. We thus estimate that the average aggregate ongoing burden to comply with the baseline Rule 303 record preservation requirements is approximately 1,410 hours per year. (94 ATSs × 15 hours = 1,410 hours) In addition, there are currently two ATSs that transact in both NMS stock and non-NMS stock on their ATSs. These two ATSs have a slightly greater burden because they have to keep both Form ATS and Form ATS–N and related documents (e.g., amendments). For these two ATSs, we estimate that the ongoing burden above the current baseline estimate for preserving records will be approximately 1 hour annually per ATS for a total annual burden above the current baseline burden estimate of 2 hours for all respondents. Thus, the estimated average annual aggregate burden for alternative trading systems to comply with Rule 303 is approximately 1,412 hours (1,410 hours + 2 hours). Compliance with Rule 303 is mandatory. The information required by Rule 303 is available only for the examination of the Commission staff, state securities authorities and the SROs. Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 522 (‘‘FOIA’’), and the Commission’s rules thereunder (17 CFR 200.80(b)(4)(iii)), the Commission does not generally publish or make available information contained in any reports, summaries, analyses, letters, or memoranda arising out of, in anticipation of, or in connection with an examination or inspection of the books and records of any person or any other investigation. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information under the PRA unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The public may view background documentation for this information collection at the following website: www.reginfo.gov. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52705 information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to (i) www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRAMain and (ii) David Bottom, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Cynthia Roscoe, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, or by sending an email to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Dated: September 16, 2021. J. Matthew Delesdernier, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–20442 Filed 9–21–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–93019; File No. SR– PEARL–2021–41] Self-Regulatory Organizations; MIAX PEARL, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the MIAX Pearl Options Fee Schedule With Respect to Open-Close Report Data September 16, 2021. 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 3, 2021, MIAX PEARL, LLC (‘‘MIAX Pearl’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange is filing a proposal to amend the MIAX Pearl Options Fee Schedule (the ‘‘Fee Schedule’’) to provide historical Open-Close Report data for free by amending the fees for the Open-Close Report to: (i) Respond to ad hoc requests for end-of-day data free of charge; and (ii) provide mid-month subscribers data for the entire month in which they subscribe. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s website at https://www.miaxoptions.com/rulefilings/pearl at MIAX Pearl’s principal office, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. 1 15 2 17 E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 22SEN1 52706 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 22, 2021 / Notices 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 recently adopted a new data product for options known as the Open-Close Report,3 which the Exchange made available for purchase to Exchange Members 4 and nonMembers on June 1, 2021.5 The OpenClose Report is described under Exchange Rule 531(b)(1). The Exchange now proposes to provide historical Open-Close Report data for free by amending the fees for the Open-Close Report to: (i) Respond to ad hoc requests for end-of-day data free of charge; and (ii) provide mid-month subscribers data for the entire month in which they subscribe. General By way of background, the Exchange offers two versions of the Open-Close Report, an end-of-day summary and intra-day report.6 The end-of-day version is a volume summary of trading 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 91964 (May 21, 2021), 86 FR 28667 (May 27, 2021) (SR– PEARL–2021–24) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Adopt a New Historical Market Data Product To Be Known as the Open-Close Report). 4 The term ‘‘Member’’ means an individual or organization that is registered with the Exchange pursuant to Chapter II of these Rules for purposes of trading on the Exchange as an ‘‘Electronic Exchange Member’’ or ‘‘Market Maker.’’ Members are deemed ‘‘members’’ under the Exchange Act. See Exchange Rule 100. 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92137 (June 9, 2021), 86 FR 31748 (June 15, 2021) (SR– PEARL–2021–26) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the MIAX Pearl Options Fee Schedule To Adopt Fees for the Open-Close Report). 6 The intraday Open-Close Report provides similar information to that of Open-Close Data but will be produced and updated every 10 minutes during the trading day. Data is captured in ‘‘snapshots’’ taken every 10 minutes throughout the trading day and is available to subscribers within five minutes of the conclusion of each 10-minute period. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:44 Sep 21, 2021 Jkt 253001 activity on the Exchange at the option level by origin (Priority Customer, NonPriority Customer, Firm, Broker-Dealer, and Market Maker 7), side of the market (buy or sell), contract volume, and transaction type (opening or closing). The customer and professional customer volume is further broken down into trade size buckets (less than 100 contracts, 100–199 contracts, greater than 199 contracts). The Open-Close Data is proprietary Exchange trade data and does not include trade data from any other exchange. It is also a historical data product and not a real-time data feed. Members and non-Members may purchase the Open-Close Report on a monthly basis. The Exchange currently assess a monthly fee of $600 per month for subscribing to the end-of-day summary Open-Close Report and $2,000 per month for subscribing to the intraday Open-Close Report. For mid-month subscriptions, new subscribers are currently charged for the full calendar month for which they subscribe and will be provided Open-Close Report data for each trading day of the calendar month from the day on which they subscribed. End-of-Day Ad Hoc Request (Historical Data) The Exchange now proposes to provide Members and Non-Members who request on an ad hoc basis historical end-of-day Open-Close Report data free of charge.8 An ad hoc request may be for any number of months beginning with June 2021, the month in which the Exchange first made the Open-Close Report available. For example, as of the date of this filing, a market participant may request end-ofday Open-Close Report data for the month of June 2021 or July 2021, or may request such data for both June and July 2021 and would not be charged a fee for such request(s). The Exchange notes that other exchanges that provide similar data products allow for ad hoc requests of their end-of-day data for a fee 9 and, 7 See Exchange Rule 100. Exchange does not propose to allow for ad hoc requests for intra-day Open-Close Report data. 9 See Price List—U.S. Derivatives Data for Nasdaq PHLX, LLC (‘‘PHLX’’), The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’), Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘ISE’’), and Nasdaq GEMX, LLC (‘‘GEMX’’), available at https:// www.nasdaqtrader.com/Trader.aspx?id=DP PriceListOptions#web. Particularly, PHLX offers ‘‘Nasdaq PHLX Options Trade Outline (PHOTO)’’ and assesses $400 for historical end-of-day data; Nasdaq offers the ‘‘Nasdaq Options Trade Outline (NOTO)’’ and assesses $250 for historical end-ofday data; ISE offers the ‘‘Nasdaq ISE Open/Close Trade Profile’’ and assesses $600 per month for historical end-of-day data and $27,500 for complete history; and GEMX offers the ‘‘Nasdaq GEMX Open/ 8 The PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 like the Exchange proposes herein, allow for ad hoc requests back to a certain month.10 The Exchange also proposes to make the historical monthly data available fifteen (15) days after the end of the month for which it is requested. The Exchange proposes this delay because it is making historical end-of-day OpenClose Report data free of charge and seeks to not encourage subscribers to request historical end-of-day OpenClose Report data over a paid subscription. Mid-Month Subscriptions The Exchange also proposes to amend the data range of Open-Close Report data it provides to mid-month subscribers. As noted above, the Exchange currently charges new midmonth subscribers for the full calendar month for which they subscribe, but only provides Open-Close Report data for each trading day of the calendar month from the day on which they subscribed. The Exchange now proposes to provide new mid-month subscribers data for each trading day of the calendar month prior to the day on which they subscribe. In other words, those that subscribe mid-month will be provided Open-Close Data retroactively for each trading day of the month in which they subscribed and prospectively for each trading day for the remainder of that calendar month pursuant to either the end-of-day or intra-day subscription they chose. This is identical to how the Exchange provides data to mid-month subscribers of the Exchange’s Liquidity Taker Event report.11 Close Trade Profile’’ and assesses $400 for historical end-of-day data. Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. (‘‘EDGX’’) and Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BZX’’) both assess $400 for historical end-of-day data per request per month. See the EDGX fee schedule available at https:// markets.cboe.com/us/options/membership/fee_ schedule/edgx/ and the BZX fee schedule available at https://markets.cboe.com/us/options/ membership/fee_schedule/bzx/. Both EDGX and BZX allow for ad-hoc requests to be for any number of months beginning with January 2018 for which the data is available. 10 Both EDGX and BZX allow for ad-hoc requests to be for any number of months beginning with January 2018 for which the data is available. See the EDGX fee schedule available at https:// markets.cboe.com/us/options/membership/fee_ schedule/edgx/ and the BZX fee schedule available at https://markets.cboe.com/us/options/ membership/fee_schedule/bzx/. 11 See the Exchange’s fee schedule available at https://www.miaxoptions.com/sites/default/files/ fee_schedule-files/MIAX_Pearl_Options_Fee_ Schedule_08122021.pdf (providing that ‘‘[n]ew subscribers will be charged for the full calendar month for which they subscribe and will be provided Liquidity Taker Event Report data for each trading day of the calendar month prior to the day on which they subscribed.’’). E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM 22SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 22, 2021 / Notices Implementation Date The Exchange intends to provide historical Open-Close Report data for free pursuant this proposal immediately. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,12 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,13 in particular, in that it is 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 to protect investors and the public interest, and that it is not designed to permit unfair discrimination among customers, brokers, or dealers. The Exchange also believes that its proposed changes to its Fee Schedule concerning fees for the Open-Close Report is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 14 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act 15 in particular, in that it is an equitable allocation of dues, fees and other charges among its members and other recipients of Exchange data. In adopting Regulation NMS, the Commission granted self-regulatory organizations (‘‘SROs’’) and brokerdealers increased authority and flexibility to offer new and unique market data to the public. It was believed that this authority would expand the amount of data available to consumers, and also spur innovation and competition for the provision of market data. Particularly, the OpenClose Report further broadens the availability of U.S. option market data to investors consistent with the principles of Regulation NMS. The data product also promotes increased transparency through the dissemination of the OpenClose Report. Particularly, information regarding opening and closing activity across different option series during the trading day may indicate investor sentiment, which may allow market participants to make better informed trading decisions throughout the day. Subscribers to the data may also be able to enhance their ability to analyze option trade and volume data and create and test trading models and analytical strategies. The Exchange believes the Open-Close Report provides a valuable tool that subscribers can use to gain comprehensive insight into the trading 12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 14 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 15 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4). 13 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:44 Sep 21, 2021 Jkt 253001 activity in a particular series, but also emphasizes such data is not necessary for trading. Moreover, other exchanges offer a similar data product.16 This proposal simply and solely seeks to provide historical Open-Close Report data to market participants for free by amending the fees for the Open-Close Report to: (i) Respond to ad hoc requests for end-of-day data free of charge; and (ii) provide mid-month subscribers data for the entire month in which they subscribe. The Exchange operates in a highly competitive environment. Indeed, there are currently 16 registered options exchanges that trade options. Based on publicly available information, no single options exchange has more than 15% of the market share and currently the Exchange represents only approximately 3.57% of the market share.17 The Commission has repeatedly expressed its preference for competition over regulatory intervention in determining prices, products, and services in the securities markets. Particularly, in Regulation NMS, the Commission highlighted the importance of market forces in determining prices and SRO revenues and, also, recognized that current regulation of the market system ‘‘has been remarkably successful in promoting market competition in its broader forms that are most important to investors and listed companies.’’ 18 Making similar data products available to market participants fosters competition in the marketplace, and constrains the ability of exchanges to charge supra-competitive fees. In the event that a market participant views one exchange’s data product as more or less attractive than the competition they can and do switch between similar products. The proposed fees are a result of the competitive environment, as the Exchange seeks to adopt fees to attract purchasers of the recently introduced Open-Close Data product. The Exchange believes its proposal to provide Open-Close data in response to ad hoc request for end-of-day data free of charge is reasonable as the proposed rate is lower than the fees assessed by other exchanges that provide data in response to ad hoc request for their similar data products.19 In fact, the Exchange understands that no other exchange provides such data free of 16 See supra notes 9 and 10. the Exchange’s ‘‘The market at a glance’’, available at https://www.miaxoptions.com/ (last visited September 1, 2021). 18 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 2005), 70 FR 37496, 37499 (June 29, 2005) (‘‘Regulation NMS Adopting Release’’). 19 See supra notes 9 and 10. 17 See PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52707 charge.20 Indeed, proposing fees that are excessively higher than established fees for similar data products would simply serve to reduce demand for the Exchange’s data product, which as noted, is entirely optional. Like the Exchange’s Open-Close Report, other exchanges offer similar data products that each provide insight into trading on those markets and may likewise aid in assessing investor sentiment. Although each of these similar Open-Close data products provide only proprietary trade data and not trade data from other exchanges, it is possible investors are still able to gauge overall investor sentiment across different option series based on open and closing interest on any one exchange.21 Similarly, market participants may be able to analyze option trade and volume data, and create and test trading models and analytical strategies using only OpenClose data relating to trading activity on one or more of the other markets that provide similar data products. As such, if a market participant views another exchange’s Open-Close data as more attractive than its proposed Open-Close Report, then such market participant can merely choose not to subscribe to the Exchange’s Open-Close Report and instead purchase another exchange’s Open-Close data product, which offer similar data points, albeit based on that other market’s trading activity. The Exchange also believes its proposal to amend the fees for the Open-Close Report to: (i) Provide historical end-of-day data free of charge and (ii) provide mid-month subscribers data for the entire month in which they subscribe, is reasonable as it would further support its recent introduction of the Open-Close Report, which is designed to aid investors by providing insight into trading on the Exchange. Providing market data, such as the Open-Close Report, is also a means by which exchanges compete to attract business. Subscribers that receive endof-day Open-Close data for free in response to an ad hoc request may use such data to evaluate the usefulness of the Exchange’s Open-Close Report and decide, based on that data, whether to subscribe to the Open-Close Report on a monthly basis. In addition, providing new mid-month subscribers data for the entire calendar month would further enhance the value of the Open-Close Report and encourage mid-month subscriptions market participants that seek to subscribe to the Open-Close 20 See supra note 9. exchange notes that its Open-Close Report data product does not include data on any exclusive, singly-listed option series. 21 The E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM 22SEN1 52708 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 22, 2021 / Notices Report not having to wait to the first of the next month to subscribe and receive a full month of Open-Close Report Data for the current monthly fee. To the extent that the Exchange is successful in attracting subscribers for the Open-Close Report through this proposal, it may earn trading revenues and further enhance the value of its data products. The Exchange also believes it proposal to make historical end-of-day OpenClose Report data on a delayed basis is a reasonable means to not encourage subscribers to request historical end-ofday Open-Close Report data over a paid subscription. If the market deems the proposal to be unfair or inequitable, firms can diminish or discontinue their use of the data and/or avail themselves of similar products offered by other exchanges.22 The Exchange therefore believes that its proposal reflects the competitive environment and would be properly assessed on Member or nonMember users. The Exchange also believes the proposal is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory as it would apply equally to all users who choose to purchase or receive such data. As noted above, a wide variety of market participants to subscribe to the Open-Close Report, including but not limited to individual customers, buyside investors and investment banks. The Exchange reiterates that the decision as to whether or not to subscribe to the Open-Close Report is entirely optional for all potential subscribers. Indeed, no market participant is required to subscribe to the Open-Close Report, and the Exchange is not required to make the Open-Close Report available to all investors. Rather, the Exchange is voluntarily making additional OpenClose Report data available via ad hoc requests for end-of-day data and to midmonth subscribers under this proposal at the request of customers, and market participants may choose to receive this data based on their own business needs. Potential subscribe to or request the data at any time if they believe it to be valuable or may decline to subscribe such data. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Rather, the Exchange believes that the proposal will promote competition by permitting the Exchange to enhance the value of a data product that is similar to those offered 22 See supra notes 9 and 10. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:44 Sep 21, 2021 Jkt 253001 by other competitor options exchanges.23 The Exchange made OpenClose Data available in order to keep pace with changes in the industry and evolving customer needs, and believes the data product will continue to contribute to robust competition among national securities exchanges. At least eight other U.S. options exchanges offer a market data product that is substantially similar to the Open-Close Report. As a result, the Exchange believes this proposed rule change permits fair competition among national securities exchanges. Furthermore, the Exchange operates in a highly competitive environment, and its ability to price the Open-Close Report is constrained by competition among exchanges that offer similar data products to their customers. As discussed, there are currently a number of similar products available to market participants and investors. At least eight other U.S. options exchanges offer a market data product that is substantially similar to the Open-Close Report, which the Exchange must consider in its pricing discipline in order to compete for the market data.24 For example, proposing fees that are excessively higher than established fees for similar data products would simply serve to reduce demand for the Exchange’s data product, which as discussed, market participants are under no obligation to utilize. In this competitive environment, potential purchasers are free to choose which, if any, similar product to purchase to satisfy their need for market information. As a result, the Exchange believes this proposed rule change permits fair competition among national securities exchanges. The Exchange also does not believe the proposal would cause any unnecessary or in appropriate burden on intermarket competition as other exchanges are free to introduce their own comparable data product and lower their prices to better compete with the Exchange’s offering. The Exchange does not believe the proposed rule change would cause any unnecessary or inappropriate burden on intramarket competition. Particularly, the proposal would apply uniformly to any market participant, in that it does not differentiate between subscribers to the Open-Close Report. The proposal is modest and would allow any interested Member or non-Member to subscribe to 23 See supra note 9. e.g., Cboe Options Fees Schedule, Livevol Fees, Open-Close Data. See also Nasdaq ISE Options 7 Pricing Schedule, Section 10.A and Nasdaq PHLX Options 7 Pricing Schedule, Section 10, PHLX Options Trade Outline (‘‘PHOTO’’). 24 See, PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 or request such data based on their business needs. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,25 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) 26 thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– PEARL–2021–41 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–PEARL–2021–41. 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 25 15 26 17 E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2). 22SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 22, 2021 / Notices 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–PEARL–2021–41 and should be submitted on or before October 13, 2021. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.27 J. Matthew DeLesDernier, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–20455 Filed 9–21–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–93021; File No. SR–MIAX– 2021–39] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fee Schedule With Respect to Open-Close Report Data September 16, 2021. 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 2, 2021, Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC (‘‘MIAX’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 27 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:44 Sep 21, 2021 Jkt 253001 comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange is filing a proposal to amend the MIAX Options Fee Schedule (the ‘‘Fee Schedule’’) to provide historical Open-Close Report data for free by amending the fees for the OpenClose Report to: (i) Respond to ad hoc requests for end-of-day data free of charge; and (ii) provide mid-month subscribers data for the entire month in which they subscribe. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s website at https://www.miaxoptions.com/rulefilings, at MIAX’s principal office, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the 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 recently adopted a new data product for options known as the Open-Close Report,3 which the Exchange made available for purchase to Exchange Members 4 and nonMembers on June 1, 2021.5 The OpenClose Report is described under 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 91965 (May 21, 2021), 86 FR 28665 (May 27, 2021) (SR– MIAX–2021–18) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Adopt a New Historical Market Data Product To Be Known as the Open-Close Report). 4 The term ‘‘Member’’ means an individual or organization that is registered with the Exchange pursuant to Chapter II of these Rules for purposes of trading on the Exchange as an ‘‘Electronic Exchange Member’’ or ‘‘Market Maker.’’ Members are deemed ‘‘members’’ under the Exchange Act. See Exchange Rule 100. 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92135 (June 9, 2021), 86 FR 31751 (June 15, 2021) (SR– MIAX–2021–23) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the MIAX Pearl [sic] Options Fee Schedule To Adopt Fees for the Open-Close Report). PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52709 Exchange Rule 531(b)(1). The Exchange now proposes to provide historical Open-Close Report data for free by amending the fees for the Open-Close Report to: (i) Respond to ad hoc requests for end-of-day data free of charge; and (ii) provide mid-month subscribers data for the entire month in which they subscribe. General By way of background, the Exchange offers two versions of the Open-Close Report, an end-of-day summary and intra-day report.6 The end-of-day version is a volume summary of trading activity on the Exchange at the option level by origin (Priority Customer, NonPriority Customer, Firm, Broker-Dealer, and Market Maker),7 side of the market (buy or sell), contract volume, and transaction type (opening or closing). The customer and professional customer volume is further broken down into trade size buckets (less than 100 contracts, 100–199 contracts, greater than 199 contracts). The Open-Close Data is proprietary Exchange trade data and does not include trade data from any other exchange. It is also a historical data product and not a real-time data feed. Members and non-Members may purchase the Open-Close Report on a monthly basis. The Exchange currently assess a monthly fee of $600 per month for subscribing to the end-of-day summary Open-Close Report and $2,000 per month for subscribing to the intraday Open-Close Report. For mid-month subscriptions, new subscribers are currently charged for the full calendar month for which they subscribe and will be provided Open-Close Report data for each trading day of the calendar month from the day on which they subscribed. End-of-Day Ad Hoc Request (Historical Data) The Exchange now proposes to provide Members and Non-Members who request on an ad hoc basis historical end-of-day Open-Close Report data free of charge.8 An ad hoc request may be for any number of months beginning with June 2021, the month in which the Exchange first made the Open-Close Report available. For 6 The intraday Open-Close Report provides similar information to that of Open-Close Data but will be produced and updated every 10 minutes during the trading day. Data is captured in ‘‘snapshots’’ taken every 10 minutes throughout the trading day and is available to subscribers within five minutes of the conclusion of each 10-minute period. 7 See Exchange Rule 100. 8 The Exchange does not propose to allow for ad hoc requests for intra-day Open-Close Report data. E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM 22SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 22, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52705-52709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20455]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-93019; File No. SR-PEARL-2021-41]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; MIAX PEARL, LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the MIAX 
Pearl Options Fee Schedule With Respect to Open-Close Report Data

September 16, 2021.
    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 3, 2021, MIAX PEARL, LLC (``MIAX Pearl'' or ``Exchange'') 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') a 
proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III 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.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange is filing a proposal to amend the MIAX Pearl Options 
Fee Schedule (the ``Fee Schedule'') to provide historical Open-Close 
Report data for free by amending the fees for the Open-Close Report to: 
(i) Respond to ad hoc requests for end-of-day data free of charge; and 
(ii) provide mid-month subscribers data for the entire month in which 
they subscribe.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at https://www.miaxoptions.com/rule-filings/pearl at MIAX 
Pearl's principal office, and at the Commission's Public Reference 
Room.

[[Page 52706]]

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 recently adopted a new data product for options known 
as the Open-Close Report,\3\ which the Exchange made available for 
purchase to Exchange Members \4\ and non-Members on June 1, 2021.\5\ 
The Open-Close Report is described under Exchange Rule 531(b)(1). The 
Exchange now proposes to provide historical Open-Close Report data for 
free by amending the fees for the Open-Close Report to: (i) Respond to 
ad hoc requests for end-of-day data free of charge; and (ii) provide 
mid-month subscribers data for the entire month in which they 
subscribe.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 91964 (May 21, 
2021), 86 FR 28667 (May 27, 2021) (SR-PEARL-2021-24) (Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to 
Adopt a New Historical Market Data Product To Be Known as the Open-
Close Report).
    \4\ The term ``Member'' means an individual or organization that 
is registered with the Exchange pursuant to Chapter II of these 
Rules for purposes of trading on the Exchange as an ``Electronic 
Exchange Member'' or ``Market Maker.'' Members are deemed 
``members'' under the Exchange Act. See Exchange Rule 100.
    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92137 (June 9, 
2021), 86 FR 31748 (June 15, 2021) (SR-PEARL-2021-26) (Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To 
Amend the MIAX Pearl Options Fee Schedule To Adopt Fees for the 
Open-Close Report).
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General
    By way of background, the Exchange offers two versions of the Open-
Close Report, an end-of-day summary and intra-day report.\6\ The end-
of-day version is a volume summary of trading activity on the Exchange 
at the option level by origin (Priority Customer, Non-Priority 
Customer, Firm, Broker-Dealer, and Market Maker \7\), side of the 
market (buy or sell), contract volume, and transaction type (opening or 
closing). The customer and professional customer volume is further 
broken down into trade size buckets (less than 100 contracts, 100-199 
contracts, greater than 199 contracts). The Open-Close Data is 
proprietary Exchange trade data and does not include trade data from 
any other exchange. It is also a historical data product and not a 
real-time data feed.
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    \6\ The intraday Open-Close Report provides similar information 
to that of Open-Close Data but will be produced and updated every 10 
minutes during the trading day. Data is captured in ``snapshots'' 
taken every 10 minutes throughout the trading day and is available 
to subscribers within five minutes of the conclusion of each 10-
minute period.
    \7\ See Exchange Rule 100.
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    Members and non-Members may purchase the Open-Close Report on a 
monthly basis. The Exchange currently assess a monthly fee of $600 per 
month for subscribing to the end-of-day summary Open-Close Report and 
$2,000 per month for subscribing to the intra-day Open-Close Report. 
For mid-month subscriptions, new subscribers are currently charged for 
the full calendar month for which they subscribe and will be provided 
Open-Close Report data for each trading day of the calendar month from 
the day on which they subscribed.
End-of-Day Ad Hoc Request (Historical Data)
    The Exchange now proposes to provide Members and Non-Members who 
request on an ad hoc basis historical end-of-day Open-Close Report data 
free of charge.\8\ An ad hoc request may be for any number of months 
beginning with June 2021, the month in which the Exchange first made 
the Open-Close Report available. For example, as of the date of this 
filing, a market participant may request end-of-day Open-Close Report 
data for the month of June 2021 or July 2021, or may request such data 
for both June and July 2021 and would not be charged a fee for such 
request(s). The Exchange notes that other exchanges that provide 
similar data products allow for ad hoc requests of their end-of-day 
data for a fee \9\ and, like the Exchange proposes herein, allow for ad 
hoc requests back to a certain month.\10\
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    \8\ The Exchange does not propose to allow for ad hoc requests 
for intra-day Open-Close Report data.
    \9\ See Price List--U.S. Derivatives Data for Nasdaq PHLX, LLC 
(``PHLX''), The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (``Nasdaq''), Nasdaq ISE, 
LLC (``ISE''), and Nasdaq GEMX, LLC (``GEMX''), available at https://www.nasdaqtrader.com/Trader.aspx?id=DPPriceListOptions#web. 
Particularly, PHLX offers ``Nasdaq PHLX Options Trade Outline 
(PHOTO)'' and assesses $400 for historical end-of-day data; Nasdaq 
offers the ``Nasdaq Options Trade Outline (NOTO)'' and assesses $250 
for historical end-of-day data; ISE offers the ``Nasdaq ISE Open/
Close Trade Profile'' and assesses $600 per month for historical 
end-of-day data and $27,500 for complete history; and GEMX offers 
the ``Nasdaq GEMX Open/Close Trade Profile'' and assesses $400 for 
historical end-of-day data.
    Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. (``EDGX'') and Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. 
(``BZX'') both assess $400 for historical end-of-day data per 
request per month. See the EDGX fee schedule available at https://markets.cboe.com/us/options/membership/fee_schedule/edgx/ and the 
BZX fee schedule available at https://markets.cboe.com/us/options/membership/fee_schedule/bzx/. Both EDGX and BZX allow for ad-hoc 
requests to be for any number of months beginning with January 2018 
for which the data is available.
    \10\ Both EDGX and BZX allow for ad-hoc requests to be for any 
number of months beginning with January 2018 for which the data is 
available. See the EDGX fee schedule available at https://markets.cboe.com/us/options/membership/fee_schedule/edgx/ and the 
BZX fee schedule available at https://markets.cboe.com/us/options/membership/fee_schedule/bzx/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also proposes to make the historical monthly data 
available fifteen (15) days after the end of the month for which it is 
requested. The Exchange proposes this delay because it is making 
historical end-of-day Open-Close Report data free of charge and seeks 
to not encourage subscribers to request historical end-of-day Open-
Close Report data over a paid subscription.
Mid-Month Subscriptions
    The Exchange also proposes to amend the data range of Open-Close 
Report data it provides to mid-month subscribers. As noted above, the 
Exchange currently charges new mid-month subscribers for the full 
calendar month for which they subscribe, but only provides Open-Close 
Report data for each trading day of the calendar month from the day on 
which they subscribed. The Exchange now proposes to provide new mid-
month subscribers data for each trading day of the calendar month prior 
to the day on which they subscribe. In other words, those that 
subscribe mid-month will be provided Open-Close Data retroactively for 
each trading day of the month in which they subscribed and 
prospectively for each trading day for the remainder of that calendar 
month pursuant to either the end-of-day or intra-day subscription they 
chose. This is identical to how the Exchange provides data to mid-month 
subscribers of the Exchange's Liquidity Taker Event report.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ See the Exchange's fee schedule available at https://www.miaxoptions.com/sites/default/files/fee_schedule-files/MIAX_Pearl_Options_Fee_Schedule_08122021.pdf (providing that ``[n]ew 
subscribers will be charged for the full calendar month for which 
they subscribe and will be provided Liquidity Taker Event Report 
data for each trading day of the calendar month prior to the day on 
which they subscribed.'').

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[[Page 52707]]

Implementation Date
    The Exchange intends to provide historical Open-Close Report data 
for free pursuant this proposal immediately.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with Section 6(b) of the Act,\12\ in general, and furthers the 
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\13\ in particular, in that it 
is 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 to protect investors and the public 
interest, and that it is not designed to permit unfair discrimination 
among customers, brokers, or dealers. The Exchange also believes that 
its proposed changes to its Fee Schedule concerning fees for the Open-
Close Report is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act \14\ in 
general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act \15\ 
in particular, in that it is an equitable allocation of dues, fees and 
other charges among its members and other recipients of Exchange data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In adopting Regulation NMS, the Commission granted self-regulatory 
organizations (``SROs'') and broker-dealers increased authority and 
flexibility to offer new and unique market data to the public. It was 
believed that this authority would expand the amount of data available 
to consumers, and also spur innovation and competition for the 
provision of market data. Particularly, the Open-Close Report further 
broadens the availability of U.S. option market data to investors 
consistent with the principles of Regulation NMS. The data product also 
promotes increased transparency through the dissemination of the Open-
Close Report. Particularly, information regarding opening and closing 
activity across different option series during the trading day may 
indicate investor sentiment, which may allow market participants to 
make better informed trading decisions throughout the day. Subscribers 
to the data may also be able to enhance their ability to analyze option 
trade and volume data and create and test trading models and analytical 
strategies. The Exchange believes the Open-Close Report provides a 
valuable tool that subscribers can use to gain comprehensive insight 
into the trading activity in a particular series, but also emphasizes 
such data is not necessary for trading. Moreover, other exchanges offer 
a similar data product.\16\ This proposal simply and solely seeks to 
provide historical Open-Close Report data to market participants for 
free by amending the fees for the Open-Close Report to: (i) Respond to 
ad hoc requests for end-of-day data free of charge; and (ii) provide 
mid-month subscribers data for the entire month in which they 
subscribe.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ See supra notes 9 and 10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange operates in a highly competitive environment. Indeed, 
there are currently 16 registered options exchanges that trade options. 
Based on publicly available information, no single options exchange has 
more than 15% of the market share and currently the Exchange represents 
only approximately 3.57% of the market share.\17\ The Commission has 
repeatedly expressed its preference for competition over regulatory 
intervention in determining prices, products, and services in the 
securities markets. Particularly, in Regulation NMS, the Commission 
highlighted the importance of market forces in determining prices and 
SRO revenues and, also, recognized that current regulation of the 
market system ``has been remarkably successful in promoting market 
competition in its broader forms that are most important to investors 
and listed companies.'' \18\ Making similar data products available to 
market participants fosters competition in the marketplace, and 
constrains the ability of exchanges to charge supra-competitive fees. 
In the event that a market participant views one exchange's data 
product as more or less attractive than the competition they can and do 
switch between similar products. The proposed fees are a result of the 
competitive environment, as the Exchange seeks to adopt fees to attract 
purchasers of the recently introduced Open-Close Data product.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ See the Exchange's ``The market at a glance'', available at 
https://www.miaxoptions.com/ (last visited September 1, 2021).
    \18\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 
2005), 70 FR 37496, 37499 (June 29, 2005) (``Regulation NMS Adopting 
Release'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes its proposal to provide Open-Close data in 
response to ad hoc request for end-of-day data free of charge is 
reasonable as the proposed rate is lower than the fees assessed by 
other exchanges that provide data in response to ad hoc request for 
their similar data products.\19\ In fact, the Exchange understands that 
no other exchange provides such data free of charge.\20\ Indeed, 
proposing fees that are excessively higher than established fees for 
similar data products would simply serve to reduce demand for the 
Exchange's data product, which as noted, is entirely optional. Like the 
Exchange's Open-Close Report, other exchanges offer similar data 
products that each provide insight into trading on those markets and 
may likewise aid in assessing investor sentiment. Although each of 
these similar Open-Close data products provide only proprietary trade 
data and not trade data from other exchanges, it is possible investors 
are still able to gauge overall investor sentiment across different 
option series based on open and closing interest on any one 
exchange.\21\ Similarly, market participants may be able to analyze 
option trade and volume data, and create and test trading models and 
analytical strategies using only Open-Close data relating to trading 
activity on one or more of the other markets that provide similar data 
products. As such, if a market participant views another exchange's 
Open-Close data as more attractive than its proposed Open-Close Report, 
then such market participant can merely choose not to subscribe to the 
Exchange's Open-Close Report and instead purchase another exchange's 
Open-Close data product, which offer similar data points, albeit based 
on that other market's trading activity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ See supra notes 9 and 10.
    \20\ See supra note 9.
    \21\ The exchange notes that its Open-Close Report data product 
does not include data on any exclusive, singly-listed option series.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also believes its proposal to amend the fees for the 
Open-Close Report to: (i) Provide historical end-of-day data free of 
charge and (ii) provide mid-month subscribers data for the entire month 
in which they subscribe, is reasonable as it would further support its 
recent introduction of the Open-Close Report, which is designed to aid 
investors by providing insight into trading on the Exchange. Providing 
market data, such as the Open-Close Report, is also a means by which 
exchanges compete to attract business. Subscribers that receive end-of-
day Open-Close data for free in response to an ad hoc request may use 
such data to evaluate the usefulness of the Exchange's Open-Close 
Report and decide, based on that data, whether to subscribe to the 
Open-Close Report on a monthly basis. In addition, providing new mid-
month subscribers data for the entire calendar month would further 
enhance the value of the Open-Close Report and encourage mid-month 
subscriptions market participants that seek to subscribe to the Open-
Close

[[Page 52708]]

Report not having to wait to the first of the next month to subscribe 
and receive a full month of Open-Close Report Data for the current 
monthly fee. To the extent that the Exchange is successful in 
attracting subscribers for the Open-Close Report through this proposal, 
it may earn trading revenues and further enhance the value of its data 
products. The Exchange also believes it proposal to make historical 
end-of-day Open-Close Report data on a delayed basis is a reasonable 
means to not encourage subscribers to request historical end-of-day 
Open-Close Report data over a paid subscription. If the market deems 
the proposal to be unfair or inequitable, firms can diminish or 
discontinue their use of the data and/or avail themselves of similar 
products offered by other exchanges.\22\ The Exchange therefore 
believes that its proposal reflects the competitive environment and 
would be properly assessed on Member or non-Member users. The Exchange 
also believes the proposal is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory 
as it would apply equally to all users who choose to purchase or 
receive such data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ See supra notes 9 and 10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted above, a wide variety of market participants to subscribe 
to the Open-Close Report, including but not limited to individual 
customers, buy-side investors and investment banks. The Exchange 
reiterates that the decision as to whether or not to subscribe to the 
Open-Close Report is entirely optional for all potential subscribers. 
Indeed, no market participant is required to subscribe to the Open-
Close Report, and the Exchange is not required to make the Open-Close 
Report available to all investors. Rather, the Exchange is voluntarily 
making additional Open-Close Report data available via ad hoc requests 
for end-of-day data and to mid-month subscribers under this proposal at 
the request of customers, and market participants may choose to receive 
this data based on their own business needs. Potential subscribe to or 
request the data at any time if they believe it to be valuable or may 
decline to subscribe such data.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Rather, the 
Exchange believes that the proposal will promote competition by 
permitting the Exchange to enhance the value of a data product that is 
similar to those offered by other competitor options exchanges.\23\ The 
Exchange made Open-Close Data available in order to keep pace with 
changes in the industry and evolving customer needs, and believes the 
data product will continue to contribute to robust competition among 
national securities exchanges. At least eight other U.S. options 
exchanges offer a market data product that is substantially similar to 
the Open-Close Report. As a result, the Exchange believes this proposed 
rule change permits fair competition among national securities 
exchanges.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ See supra note 9.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Furthermore, the Exchange operates in a highly competitive 
environment, and its ability to price the Open-Close Report is 
constrained by competition among exchanges that offer similar data 
products to their customers. As discussed, there are currently a number 
of similar products available to market participants and investors. At 
least eight other U.S. options exchanges offer a market data product 
that is substantially similar to the Open-Close Report, which the 
Exchange must consider in its pricing discipline in order to compete 
for the market data.\24\ For example, proposing fees that are 
excessively higher than established fees for similar data products 
would simply serve to reduce demand for the Exchange's data product, 
which as discussed, market participants are under no obligation to 
utilize. In this competitive environment, potential purchasers are free 
to choose which, if any, similar product to purchase to satisfy their 
need for market information. As a result, the Exchange believes this 
proposed rule change permits fair competition among national securities 
exchanges.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ See, e.g., Cboe Options Fees Schedule, Livevol Fees, Open-
Close Data. See also Nasdaq ISE Options 7 Pricing Schedule, Section 
10.A and Nasdaq PHLX Options 7 Pricing Schedule, Section 10, PHLX 
Options Trade Outline (``PHOTO'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also does not believe the proposal would cause any 
unnecessary or in appropriate burden on intermarket competition as 
other exchanges are free to introduce their own comparable data product 
and lower their prices to better compete with the Exchange's offering. 
The Exchange does not believe the proposed rule change would cause any 
unnecessary or inappropriate burden on intramarket competition. 
Particularly, the proposal would apply uniformly to any market 
participant, in that it does not differentiate between subscribers to 
the Open-Close Report. The proposal is modest and would allow any 
interested Member or non-Member to subscribe to or request such data 
based on their business needs.

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

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,\25\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) \26\ thereunder. 
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
    \26\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-PEARL-2021-41 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-PEARL-2021-41. 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

[[Page 52709]]

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-
PEARL-2021-41 and should be submitted on or before October 13, 2021.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\27\
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-20455 Filed 9-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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