Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fees Schedule, 8325-8329 [2023-02602]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 26 / Wednesday, February 8, 2023 / Notices
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that you wish to make available
publicly. All submissions should refer
to File Number SR–ICEEU–2023–003
and should be submitted on or before
March 1, 2023.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.14
Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023–02604 Filed 2–7–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–96793; File No. SR–CBOE–
2023–008]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe
Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
Rule Change To Amend Its Fees
Schedule
February 2, 2023.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on January
20, 2023, Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the
‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘Cboe Options’’) filed
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the
proposed rule change as described in
Items I, II, and III below, which Items
have been prepared by the Exchange.
The Commission is publishing this
notice to solicit comments on the
proposed rule change from interested
persons.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’
or ‘‘Cboe Options’’) proposes to amend
its Fees Schedule. The text of the
proposed rule change is provided in
Exhibit 5.
The text of the proposed rule change
is also available on the Exchange’s
website (https://www.cboe.com/
AboutCBOE/CBOELegal
RegulatoryHome.aspx), at the
Exchange’s Office of the Secretary, and
at the Commission’s Public Reference
Room.
14 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
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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
Fees Schedule to modify the fee for the
SPX (and SPXW) Floor Market-Maker
Tier Appointment Fee.3
By way of background, Exchange Rule
5.50(g)(2) provides that the Exchange
may establish one or more types of tier
appointments and Exchange Rule
5.50(g)(2)(B) provides such tier
appointments are subject to such fees
and charges the Exchange may establish.
In 2010, the Exchange established the
SPX Tier Appointment and adopted an
initial fee of $3,000 per Market-Maker
trading permit, per month.4 The SPX
(and SPXW) Tier Appointment fee for
Floor Market-Makers currently applies
to any Market-Maker that executes any
contracts in SPX and/or SPXW on the
trading floor.5 The Exchange now seeks
to increase the fee for the SPX/SPXW
Floor Market-Maker Tier Appointment
from $3,000 per Market-Maker Floor
3 The Exchange initially filed the proposed fee
change, among other changes, on June 1, 2022 (SR–
CBOE–2022–026). On June 10, 2022, the Exchange
withdrew that filing and submitted SR–CBOE–
2022–029. On August 5, 2022, the Exchange
withdrew that filing and submitted SR–CBOE–
2022–042. On September 26, 2022, the Exchange
withdrew that filing and submitted SR–CBOE–
2022–050 to address the proposed fee change
relating to the SPX/SPXW Floor Market-Maker Tier
Appointment Fee. On November 23, 2022, the
Exchange advised of its intent to withdraw that
filing and submitted SR–CBOE–2022–060. On
January 20, 2023, the Exchange withdrew SR–
CBOE–2022–060 and submitted this filing. No
comment letters were received in connection with
any of the foregoing rule filings.
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62386
(June 25, 2010), 75 FR 38566 (July 2, 2010) (SR–
CBOE–2010–060).
5 The Exchange notes that the fee is not assessed
to a Market-Maker Floor Permit Holder who only
executes SPX (including SPXW) options
transactions as part of multi-class broad-based
index spread transactions. See Cboe Options Fees
Schedule, Market-Maker Tier Appointment Fees,
Notes.
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8325
Trading Permit to $5,000 per MarketMaker Floor Trading Permit.
In connection with the proposed
change, the Exchange also proposes to
update Footnote 24 in the Fees
Schedule, as well as remove the
reference to Footnote 24 in the MarketMaker Tier Appointment Fee Table. By
way of background, in June 2020, the
Exchange adopted Footnote 24 to
describe pricing changes that would
apply for the duration of time the
Exchange trading floor was being
operated in a modified manner in
connection with the COVID–19
pandemic.6 Among other changes,
Footnote 24 provided that the monthly
fee for the SPX/SPXW Floor MarketMaker Tier Appointment Fee was to be
increased to $5,000 per Trading Permit
from $3,000 per Trading Permit. As the
Exchange now proposes to maintain the
$5,000 rate on a permanent basis (i.e.,
regardless of whether the Exchange is
operating in a modified state due to
COVID–19 pandemic), the Exchange
proposes to eliminate the reference to
the SPX/SPXW Floor Market-Maker Tier
Appointment Fee in Footnote 24.7
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed
rule change is consistent with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’) and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to the Exchange
and, in particular, the requirements of
Section 6(b) of the Act.8 Specifically,
the Exchange believes the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Section
6(b)(5) 9 requirements that the rules of
an exchange be designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to foster cooperation
and coordination with persons engaged
in regulating, clearing, settling,
processing information with respect to,
and facilitating transactions in
securities, 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.
Additionally, the Exchange believes the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the Section 6(b)(5) 10 requirement that
the rules of an exchange not be designed
6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 89189
(June 30, 2020), 85 FR 40344 (July 6, 2020) (SR–
CBOE–2020–058).
7 The Exchange notes that since its transition to
a new trading floor facility on June 6, 2022, it has
not been operating in a modified manner. As such
Footnote 24 (i.e., the modified fee changes it
describes) does not currently apply.
8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
10 Id.
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to permit unfair discrimination between
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
The Exchange operates in a highly
competitive environment. The SEC
Division of Trading and Markets’ Fee
Guidance provides that in determining
whether a proposed fee is constrained
by significant competitive forces, the
Commission will consider whether
there are reasonable substitutes for the
product or service that is the subject of
a proposed fee.11 As described in further
detail below, the Exchange believes
substitutable products are in fact
available to market participants,
including in the Over-the-Counter
(OTC) markets. Indeed, there are
currently 16 registered options
exchanges that trade options, with a
17th options exchange expected to
launch in 2023. Based on publicly
available information, no single options
exchange has more than 17% of the
market share as of January 19, 2023.12
Further, low barriers to entry mean that
new exchanges may rapidly and
inexpensively enter the market and offer
additional substitute platforms to
further compete with the Exchange and
the products it offers, including
exclusively listed products as discussed
further below. For example, there are 3
exchanges that have been added in the
U.S. options markets in the last 5 years
(i.e., Nasdaq MRX, LLC, MIAX Pearl,
LLC, and MIAX Emerald LLC) and one
additional options exchange that is
expected to launch in 2023 (i.e., MEMX
LLC).
The Exchange believes that
competition in the marketplace
constrains the ability of exchanges to
charge supracompetitive fees for access
to its products exclusive to that market
(‘‘proprietary products’’). Notably, just
as there is no regulatory requirement to
become a member of any one options
exchange, there is also no regulatory
requirement for any market participant
to participate on the Exchange in any
particular capacity nor trade any
particular product. Additionally, there
is no requirement that any Exchange
create or indefinitely maintain any
particular product.13 The Exchange also
11 See Chairman Jay Clayton, Statement on
Division of Trading and Markets Staff Fee
Guidance, June 12, 2019.
12 See Cboe Global Markets U.S. Options Market
Volume Summary (January 19, 2023), available at
https://markets.cboe.com/us/options/market_
statistics/.
13 If an option class is open for trading on another
national securities exchange, the Exchange may
delist such option class immediately. For
proprietary products, the Exchange may determine
to not open for trading any additional series in that
option class; may restrict series with open interest
to closing transactions, provided that, opening
transactions by Market-Makers executed to
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highlights that market participants may
trade an exchange’s proprietary
products through a third-party without
directly or indirectly connecting to the
exchange. Further, market participants,
including Market-Makers, may trade the
Exchange’s products, including
proprietary products, on or off the
Exchange’s trading floor (i.e., all
products are available both
electronically and via open outcry on
the Exchange’s trading floor). Indeed,
market participants are not obligated to
trade on the Exchange’s trading floor
and therefore a market participant,
including Market-Makers, can choose to
trade a product electronically instead of
on the Exchange’s trading floor at any
time and for any reason, including due
to an assessment of the reasonableness
of fees charged.
Additionally, market participants may
trade any options product, including
proprietary products, in the unregulated
Over-the-Counter (OTC) markets for
which there is no requirement for fees
related to those markets to be public.
Given the benefits offered by trading
options on a listed exchange, such as
increased market transparency and
heightened contra-party
creditworthiness due to the role of the
Options Clearing Corporation as issuer
and guarantor, the Exchange generally
seeks to incentivize market participants
to trade options on an exchange, which
further constrains fees that an Exchange
may assess. Market participants may
also access other exchanges to trade
other similar or competing proprietary
or multi-listed products. Alternative
products to the Exchange’s proprietary
products may include other options
products, including options on ETFs or
options futures, as well as particular
ETFs or futures. Particularly,
exclusively listed SPX options (i.e., a
proprietary product) may compete with
the following products traded on other
markets: multiply-listed SPY options
(options on the ETF), E-mini S&P 500
Options (options on futures), and EMini S&P 500 futures (futures on index).
Indeed, as a practical matter, investors
utilize SPX and SPY options and their
respective underlying instruments and
futures to gain exposure to the same
benchmark index: the S&P 500.
Notably, the Commission itself has
affirmed that notwithstanding the
exclusive nature of SPX options,
accommodate closing transactions of other market
participants and opening transactions by TPH
organizations to facilitate the closing transactions of
public customers executed as crosses pursuant to
and in accordance with Rule 6.74(b) or (d) may be
permitted; and may delist the option class when all
series within that class have expired. See Cboe Rule
4.4, Interpretations and Policies .11.
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alternatives to this product exist in the
marketplace. Particularly, in approving
SPXPM (the PM-settled S&P 500 cash
settled contract) on its affiliate exchange
Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc. (which product
was later transferred to the Exchange),
the Commission stated that it
‘‘recognizes the potential impact on
competition resulting from the inability
of other options exchanges to list and
trade SPXPM. In acting on this proposal,
however, the Commission has balanced
the potentially negative competitive
effects with the countervailing positive
competitive effects of C2’s proposal. The
Commission believes that the
availability of SPXPM on the C2
exchange will enhance competition by
providing investors with an additional
investment vehicle, in a fully-electronic
trading environment, through which
investors can gain and hedge exposure
to the S&P 500 stocks. Further, this
product could offer a competitive
alternative to other existing investment
products that seek to allow investors to
gain broad market exposure. Also, we
note that it is possible for other
exchanges to develop or license the use
of a new or different index to compete
with the S&P 500 index and seek
Commission approval to list and trade
options on such index.’’ 14
The economic equivalence of SPX and
SPY options was further acknowledged
and cited as a basis for the elimination
of position limits for SPY options across
the industry not long after the
Commission’s findings above in 2011.15
Moreover, other exchanges have
acknowledged that SPY options are
considered to be an economic
equivalent to SPX options.16
Additionally, in connection with a
previous proposed amendment to the
National Market System Plan Governing
the Consolidated Audit Trail (‘‘CAT
14 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65256
(September 2, 2011), 76 FR 55969 (September 9,
2011) (SR–C2–2011–008). The Exchanges notes
SPXPM was later transferred to the Exchange,
where it currently remains listed. See Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 68888 (February 8, 2013),
78 FR 10668 (February 14, 2013) (SR–CBOE–2012–
120).
15 See e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No.
67936 (September 27, 2012), 77 FR 60491 (October
3, 2012) (SR–BOX–2012–013). See also Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 67999 (October 5, 2012),
77 FR 62295 (October 12, 2012) (SR–Phlx–2012–
122).
16 NYSE Euronext, on behalf of its subsidiary
options exchanges, NYSE Arca Inc. and NYSE
Amex LLC, commented on a Nasdaq OMX PHLX
LLC (‘‘PHLX’’) proposal to increase the position
limits for SPY options, noting ‘‘. . . when a
contract that is considered by many to be
economically equivalent to SPY options—namely
SPX options . . .’’ See (https://www.sec.gov/
comments/sr-phlx-2011-58/phlx201158-1.pdf).
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NMS Plan’’),17 the Commission again
discussed the existence of competition
in the marketplace generally, and
particularly for exchanges with unique
business models. Similar to, and
consistent with, its findings in
approving SPXPM, the Commission
recognized that while some exchanges
may have a unique business model that
is not currently offered by competitors,
a competitor could create similar
business models if demand were
adequate, and if a competitor did not do
so, the Commission believes it would be
likely that new entrants would do so if
the exchange with that unique business
model was otherwise profitable.18
Accordingly, although the Exchange
may have proprietary products not
offered by other competitors, not unlike
unique business models, a competitor
could create similar products to an
existing proprietary product if demand
were adequate. As an illustration of this
point, MIAX created its exclusive
product SPIKES specifically to compete
against VIX options, another product
exclusive to the Exchange.19
Accordingly, if a market participant
views the Exchange’s proprietary
products, including SPX and SPXW, as
more or less attractive than the
competition they can switch between
similar products. As such, the Exchange
is subject to competition and does not
possess anti-competitive pricing power,
even with its offering of proprietary
products such as SPX.
The Exchange also believes the
proposed fee is reasonable as the
Exchange believes it remains
commensurate with the value of
operating as a Market-Maker on the
Exchange’s trading floor in the SPX pit.
For example, the Exchange recently
transitioned from its previous trading
floor, which it had occupied since the
1980s, to a brand new, modern and
upgraded trading floor facility. The
Exchange believes customers continue
to find value in open outcry trading and
rely on the floor for price discovery and
the deep liquidity provided by floor
Market-Makers. The build out of a new
modern trading floor reflects the
Exchange’s commitment to open outcry
trading and focus on providing the best
possible trading experience for its
customers, including Market-Makers.
17 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 86901
(September 9, 2019), 84 FR 48458 (September 13,
2019) (File No. S7–13–19).
18 Id.
19 MIAX has described SPIKES options as
‘‘designed specifically to compete head-to-head
against Cboe’s proprietary VIX® product.’’ See
MIAX Press Release, SPIKES Options Launched on
MIAX, February 21, 2019, available at https://
www.miaxoptions.com/sites/default/files/press_
release-files/MIAX_Press_Release_02212019.pdf.
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For example, the new trading floor
provides a state-of-the-art environment
and technology and more efficient use
of physical space, which the Exchange
believes better reflects and supports the
current trading environment. The
Exchange also believes the new
infrastructure provides a cost-effective,
streamlined, and modernized approach
to floor connectivity. For example, the
new trading floor has more than 330
individual kiosks, equipped with top-ofthe-line technology, that enable floor
participants to plug in and use their
devices with greater ease and flexibility.
It also provides floor Market-Makers
with more space and increased capacity
to support additional floor-based traders
on the trading floor.
Indeed, notwithstanding the proposed
fee change, Market-Maker presence on
the new trading floor in SPX and SPXW
has increased. Particularly, as of
December 30, 2022, there are 12
additional Market-Makers trading SPX
and SPXW on the trading floor as
compared to May 2022 (which was the
month prior to the proposed fee change
being implemented on a permanent
basis and transition to the new trading
floor).20 Further, in June 2022, the
month in which the proposed fee
change took effect on the new trading
floor on a permanent basis, there were
5 additional Market-Makers trading SPX
and SPXW on the trading Floor as
compared to May 2022. Further, as of
December 30, 2022, there are 4
additional Market-Makers trading SPX
and SPXW on the trading floor as
compared to March 2020, which was the
last month the Exchange assessed
$3,000 for the SPX and SPXW Floor
Market Maker Tier Appointment fee.
The Exchange believes the increasing
SPX and SPXW Market-Maker presence
on the trading floor since the last time
the Exchange assessed $3,000 for the
SPX and SPXW Floor Market Maker
Tier Appointment fee (i.e., March 2020)
and since the time the current proposal
was submitted (i.e., June 2020) speaks
not only to the value Market-Makers
find in participating as a Market-Maker
in SPX and SPXW on the (new and
improved) trading floor, but also to the
reasonableness of the fee. Moreover, as
established above, if a Market-Maker
viewed trading SPX and SPXW as less
attractive than competitive products,
including those described above, they
can switch between such similar
20 As noted above, the Exchange has been
assessing $5,000 for the SPX and SPXW Floor
Market Maker Tier Appointment fee since June
2020 as the Exchange was operating in a modified
state until its transition to the new trading floor in
June 2022, at which time the Exchange submitted
this proposal to make such increase permanent.
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products and choose not to remain as a
Market-Maker trading SPX and SPX on
the trading floor. As such, the Exchange
is subject to competition and does not
possess anti-competitive pricing power,
even with its offering of proprietary
products such as SPX.
Also, as noted above, market
participants are not obligated to trade on
the Exchange’s trading floor and
therefore a market participant, including
Market-Makers, can choose to trade a
product electronically instead of on the
Exchange’s trading floor at any time and
for any reason, including due to an
assessment of the reasonableness of fees
charged. In particular, SPX and SPXW
open outcry volume currently accounts
for only approximately 26% of total SPX
and SPXW volume (i.e., approximately
74% is traded electronically).
Accordingly, Market-Makers may also
choose to trade SPX and SPXW
electronically should they deem fees
associated with trading on the trading
floor as unreasonable, further
demonstrating that the Exchange is
constrained from imposing
unreasonable and supracompetitive
fees.
The Exchange finally believes its
proposal to increase the SPX (and
SPXW) Floor Market-Maker Tier
Appointment fee is reasonable because
the proposed amount is not significantly
higher than was previously assessed
(and is the same amount that has been
assessed under Footnote 24 for the last
two years). Additionally, the Exchange
believes its proposal to increase the fee
is reasonable as the fee amount has not
been increased since it was adopted
over 12 years ago in July 2010.21
Particularly, since its adoption 12 years
ago, there has been notable inflation.
Indeed, the dollar has had an average
inflation rate of 2.6% per year between
2010 and today, producing a cumulative
price increase of approximately 37%
inflation since 2010, when the SPX and
SPXW Floor Market-Maker Tier
Appointment was first adopted.22
Additionally, for nearly ten years,
Market-Makers were only subject to the
original rate that was adopted in 2010
(i.e., $3,000) notwithstanding an average
inflation rate of 2.64% per year. The
Exchange acknowledges its proposed fee
exceeds 37%. However, the Exchange
believes such increase is reasonable
given many Market-Makers for nearly 10
years did not have to pay increased fees
notwithstanding yearly inflation. For
21 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62386
(June 25, 2010), 75 FR 38566 (July 2, 2010) (SR–
CBOE–2010–060).
22 See https://www.officialdata.org/us/inflation/
2010?amount=1.
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example, by not increasing the fee each
year to correspond to the average per
year inflation rate of 2.6%, MarketMakers trading SPX on the trading floor
since 2011 through 2020 (when then
Exchange originally increased the fee
due to the COVID–19 pandemic) have
saved nearly $10,000. The Exchange
therefore believes that proposing a fee in
excess of the cumulative 37% inflation
rate is still reasonable, especially when
considered in conjunction with all of
the additional and further rationale
discussed above. The Exchange is also
unaware of any standard that suggests
any fee proposal that exceeds a yearly
or cumulative inflation rate is
unreasonable.
The proposed change is also equitable
and not unfairly discriminatory as it
applies to all Market-Makers that trade
SPX on the trading floor uniformly. The
Exchange believes it’s reasonable
equitable and not unfairly
discriminatory to increase the SPX/
SPXW floor Market-Maker Tier
Appointment fee and not the SPX/
SPXW electronic Market-Maker Tier
Appointment fee, as Floor MarketMakers are not subject to other costs
that electronic Market-Makers are
subject to. For example, while all Floor
Market-Makers automatically have an
appointment to trade open outcry in all
classes traded on the Exchange and at
no additional cost per appointment,
electronic Market-Makers must select an
appointment in a class (such as SPX) to
make markets electronically and such
appointments are subject to fees under
the Market-Maker Electronic
Appointments Sliding Scale.23
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 that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act. The
Exchange does not believe that the
proposed rule changes will impose any
burden on intramarket competition that
is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act
because the proposed changes would be
applied in the same manner to all Floor
Market-Makers that trade SPX (and/or
SPXW). As noted above, the Exchange
believes it’s reasonable to increase the
SPX/SPWX Tier Appointment Fee for
only Floor Market-Makers only as
opposed to electronic Market-Makers,
because electronic Market-Makers are
subject to costs Floor Market-Makers are
23 See
Cboe Options Rules 5.50(a) and (e). See
also Cboe Options Fees Schedule, Market-Maker
EAP Appointments Sliding Scale.
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not, such as the fees under MarketMaker EAP Appointments Sliding Scale.
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on intermarket competition
that is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act
because the proposed rule changes
apply only to a fee relating to a product
exclusively listed on the Exchange.
Additionally, the Exchange operates in
a highly competitive market. In addition
to Cboe Options, TPHs have numerous
alternative venues that they may
participate on (which, as described
above, list products that compete with
SPX options) and direct their order
flow, including 15 other options
exchanges (four of which also maintain
physical trading floors), as well as offexchange venues, where competitive
products are available for trading. Based
on publicly available information, no
single options exchange has more than
17% of the market share of executed
volume of options trades.24 Therefore,
no exchange possesses significant
pricing power in the execution of option
order flow. Moreover, the Commission
has repeatedly expressed its preference
for competition over regulatory
intervention in determining prices,
products, and services in the securities
markets. Specifically, 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.’’ 25 The
fact that this market is competitive has
also long been recognized by the courts.
In NetCoalition v. Securities and
Exchange Commission, the D.C. Circuit
stated as follows: ‘‘[n]o one disputes
that competition for order flow is
‘fierce.’ . . . As the SEC explained, ‘[i]n
the U.S. national market system, buyers
and sellers of securities, and the brokerdealers that act as their order-routing
agents, have a wide range of choices of
where to route orders for execution’;
[and] ‘no exchange can afford to take its
market share percentages for granted’
because ‘no exchange possesses a
monopoly, regulatory or otherwise, in
the execution of order flow from broker
dealers’ . . . .’’.26 Accordingly, the
24 See Cboe Global Markets, U.S. Options Market
Volume Summary by Month (January 19, 2023),
available at https://markets.cboe.com/us/options/
market_share/.
25 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808
(June 9, 2005), 70 FR 37496, 37499 (June 29, 2005).
26 NetCoalition v. SEC, 615 F.3d 525, 539 (D.C.
Cir. 2010) (quoting Securities Exchange Act Release
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Sfmt 4703
Exchange does not believe its proposed
changes to the incentive programs
impose any burden on competition that
is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange neither solicited nor
received comments on the proposed
rule change.
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)
of the Act 27 and paragraph (f) of Rule
19b–4 28 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 will institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
change should be approved or
disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
CBOE–2023–008 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–CBOE–2023–008. 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
No. 59039 (December 2, 2008), 73 FR 74770, 74782–
83 (December 9, 2008) (SR–NYSEArca–2006–21)).
27 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
28 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f).
E:\FR\FM\08FEN1.SGM
08FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 26 / Wednesday, February 8, 2023 / Notices
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–CBOE–2023–008 and
should be submitted on or before March
1, 2023.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.29
Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023–02602 Filed 2–7–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–96792; File No. SR–
NYSECHX–2022–30]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Chicago, Inc.; Notice of Withdrawal of
Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule
7.19 Concerning Pre-Trade Risk
Controls
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
February 2, 2023.
On December 8, 2022, NYSE Chicago,
Inc. (‘‘NYSE Chicago’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to
Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’ or
‘‘Exchange Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4
thereunder 2 a proposed rule change to
add additional pre-trade risk controls to
Rule 7.19. The proposed rule change
29 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
16:59 Feb 07, 2023
Jkt 259001
was published for comment on
December 19, 2022.3 On February 1,
2023, NYSE Chicago withdrew the
proposed rule change (SR–NYSECHX–
2022–30).
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.4
Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
8329
Los Angeles, Sonoma, Tehama,
Trinity
All other information in the original
declaration remains unchanged.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Number 59008)
Rafaela Monchek,
Acting Associate Administrator for Disaster
Recovery and Resilience.
[FR Doc. 2023–02603 Filed 2–7–23; 8:45 am]
[FR Doc. 2023–02613 Filed 2–7–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
BILLING CODE 8026–09–P
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
[Disaster Declaration #17757 and #17758;
California Disaster Number CA–00366]
Presidential Declaration Amendment of
a Major Disaster for the State of
California
Small Business Administration.
Amendment 5.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
This is an amendment of the
Presidential declaration of a major
disaster for the State of California
(FEMA–4683–DR), dated 01/14/2023.
Incident: Severe Winter Storms,
Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides.
Incident Period: 12/27/2022 and
continuing.
[Disaster Declaration #17767 and #17768;
California Disaster Number CA–00368]
Presidential Declaration Amendment of
a Major Disaster for Public Assistance
Only for the State of California
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Small Business Administration.
Amendment 1.
SUMMARY:
Issued on 02/01/2023.
Physical Loan Application Deadline
Date: 03/16/2023.
Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan
Application Deadline Date: 10/16/2023.
ADDRESSES: Submit completed loan
applications to: U.S. Small Business
Administration, Processing and
Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport
Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A.
Escobar, Office of Disaster Assistance,
U.S. Small Business Administration,
409 3rd Street SW, Suite 6050,
Washington, DC 20416, (202) 205–6734.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice
of the President’s major disaster
declaration for the State of California,
dated 01/14/2023, is hereby amended to
include the following areas as adversely
affected by the disaster:
Primary Counties (Physical Damage and
Economic Injury Loans): Alameda,
Contra Costa, Mendocino, Ventura
Contiguous Counties (Economic Injury
Loans Only):
California: Glenn, Humboldt, Lake,
DATES:
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 96488
(December 13, 2022), 87 FR 77651 (December 19,
2022). Comments received on the proposal are
available on the Commission’s website at: https://
www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysechx-2022-30/
srnysechx202230.htm.
4 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
This is an amendment of the
Presidential declaration of a major
disaster for Public Assistance Only for
the State of California (FEMA–4683–
DR), dated 01/26/2023.
Incident: Severe Winter Storms,
Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides.
Incident Period: 12/27/2022 and
continuing.
SUMMARY:
Issued on 02/01/2023.
Physical Loan Application Deadline
Date: 03/27/2023.
Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan
Application Deadline Date: 10/26/2023.
DATES:
Submit completed loan
applications to: U.S. Small Business
Administration, Processing and
Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport
Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
ADDRESSES:
A.
Escobar, Office of Disaster Assistance,
U.S. Small Business Administration,
409 3rd Street SW, Suite 6050,
Washington, DC 20416, (202) 205–6734.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The notice
of the President’s major disaster
declaration for Private Non-Profit
organizations in the State of California,
dated 01/26/2023, is hereby amended to
include the following areas as adversely
affected by the disaster.
Primary Counties: Alameda, Butte,
Calaveras, Colusa, Fresno, Glenn,
Humboldt, Los Angeles, Marin,
Mendocino, Placer, San Joaquin,
San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara,
Siskiyou, Sonoma, Trinity, Yolo
All other information in the original
declaration remains unchanged.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\08FEN1.SGM
08FEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8325-8329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02602]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-96793; File No. SR-CBOE-2023-008]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend
Its Fees Schedule
February 2, 2023.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that on January 20, 2023, Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or
``Cboe Options'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I,
II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the 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
Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``Cboe Options'') proposes
to amend its Fees Schedule. The text of the proposed rule change is
provided in Exhibit 5.
The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the
Exchange's website (https://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange's Office of the
Secretary, 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 Fees Schedule to modify the fee
for the SPX (and SPXW) Floor Market-Maker Tier Appointment Fee.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The Exchange initially filed the proposed fee change, among
other changes, on June 1, 2022 (SR-CBOE-2022-026). On June 10, 2022,
the Exchange withdrew that filing and submitted SR-CBOE-2022-029. On
August 5, 2022, the Exchange withdrew that filing and submitted SR-
CBOE-2022-042. On September 26, 2022, the Exchange withdrew that
filing and submitted SR-CBOE-2022-050 to address the proposed fee
change relating to the SPX/SPXW Floor Market-Maker Tier Appointment
Fee. On November 23, 2022, the Exchange advised of its intent to
withdraw that filing and submitted SR-CBOE-2022-060. On January 20,
2023, the Exchange withdrew SR-CBOE-2022-060 and submitted this
filing. No comment letters were received in connection with any of
the foregoing rule filings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
By way of background, Exchange Rule 5.50(g)(2) provides that the
Exchange may establish one or more types of tier appointments and
Exchange Rule 5.50(g)(2)(B) provides such tier appointments are subject
to such fees and charges the Exchange may establish. In 2010, the
Exchange established the SPX Tier Appointment and adopted an initial
fee of $3,000 per Market-Maker trading permit, per month.\4\ The SPX
(and SPXW) Tier Appointment fee for Floor Market-Makers currently
applies to any Market-Maker that executes any contracts in SPX and/or
SPXW on the trading floor.\5\ The Exchange now seeks to increase the
fee for the SPX/SPXW Floor Market-Maker Tier Appointment from $3,000
per Market-Maker Floor Trading Permit to $5,000 per Market-Maker Floor
Trading Permit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62386 (June 25,
2010), 75 FR 38566 (July 2, 2010) (SR-CBOE-2010-060).
\5\ The Exchange notes that the fee is not assessed to a Market-
Maker Floor Permit Holder who only executes SPX (including SPXW)
options transactions as part of multi-class broad-based index spread
transactions. See Cboe Options Fees Schedule, Market-Maker Tier
Appointment Fees, Notes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In connection with the proposed change, the Exchange also proposes
to update Footnote 24 in the Fees Schedule, as well as remove the
reference to Footnote 24 in the Market-Maker Tier Appointment Fee
Table. By way of background, in June 2020, the Exchange adopted
Footnote 24 to describe pricing changes that would apply for the
duration of time the Exchange trading floor was being operated in a
modified manner in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.\6\ Among
other changes, Footnote 24 provided that the monthly fee for the SPX/
SPXW Floor Market-Maker Tier Appointment Fee was to be increased to
$5,000 per Trading Permit from $3,000 per Trading Permit. As the
Exchange now proposes to maintain the $5,000 rate on a permanent basis
(i.e., regardless of whether the Exchange is operating in a modified
state due to COVID-19 pandemic), the Exchange proposes to eliminate the
reference to the SPX/SPXW Floor Market-Maker Tier Appointment Fee in
Footnote 24.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 89189 (June 30,
2020), 85 FR 40344 (July 6, 2020) (SR-CBOE-2020-058).
\7\ The Exchange notes that since its transition to a new
trading floor facility on June 6, 2022, it has not been operating in
a modified manner. As such Footnote 24 (i.e., the modified fee
changes it describes) does not currently apply.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular,
the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\8\ Specifically, the
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the
Section 6(b)(5) \9\ requirements that the rules of an exchange be
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation
and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing,
settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating
transactions in securities, 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. Additionally,
the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the
Section 6(b)(5) \10\ requirement that the rules of an exchange not be
designed
[[Page 8326]]
to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or
dealers.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
\10\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange operates in a highly competitive environment. The SEC
Division of Trading and Markets' Fee Guidance provides that in
determining whether a proposed fee is constrained by significant
competitive forces, the Commission will consider whether there are
reasonable substitutes for the product or service that is the subject
of a proposed fee.\11\ As described in further detail below, the
Exchange believes substitutable products are in fact available to
market participants, including in the Over-the-Counter (OTC) markets.
Indeed, there are currently 16 registered options exchanges that trade
options, with a 17th options exchange expected to launch in 2023. Based
on publicly available information, no single options exchange has more
than 17% of the market share as of January 19, 2023.\12\ Further, low
barriers to entry mean that new exchanges may rapidly and inexpensively
enter the market and offer additional substitute platforms to further
compete with the Exchange and the products it offers, including
exclusively listed products as discussed further below. For example,
there are 3 exchanges that have been added in the U.S. options markets
in the last 5 years (i.e., Nasdaq MRX, LLC, MIAX Pearl, LLC, and MIAX
Emerald LLC) and one additional options exchange that is expected to
launch in 2023 (i.e., MEMX LLC).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ See Chairman Jay Clayton, Statement on Division of Trading
and Markets Staff Fee Guidance, June 12, 2019.
\12\ See Cboe Global Markets U.S. Options Market Volume Summary
(January 19, 2023), available at https://markets.cboe.com/us/options/market_statistics/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange believes that competition in the marketplace
constrains the ability of exchanges to charge supracompetitive fees for
access to its products exclusive to that market (``proprietary
products''). Notably, just as there is no regulatory requirement to
become a member of any one options exchange, there is also no
regulatory requirement for any market participant to participate on the
Exchange in any particular capacity nor trade any particular product.
Additionally, there is no requirement that any Exchange create or
indefinitely maintain any particular product.\13\ The Exchange also
highlights that market participants may trade an exchange's proprietary
products through a third-party without directly or indirectly
connecting to the exchange. Further, market participants, including
Market-Makers, may trade the Exchange's products, including proprietary
products, on or off the Exchange's trading floor (i.e., all products
are available both electronically and via open outcry on the Exchange's
trading floor). Indeed, market participants are not obligated to trade
on the Exchange's trading floor and therefore a market participant,
including Market-Makers, can choose to trade a product electronically
instead of on the Exchange's trading floor at any time and for any
reason, including due to an assessment of the reasonableness of fees
charged.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ If an option class is open for trading on another national
securities exchange, the Exchange may delist such option class
immediately. For proprietary products, the Exchange may determine to
not open for trading any additional series in that option class; may
restrict series with open interest to closing transactions, provided
that, opening transactions by Market-Makers executed to accommodate
closing transactions of other market participants and opening
transactions by TPH organizations to facilitate the closing
transactions of public customers executed as crosses pursuant to and
in accordance with Rule 6.74(b) or (d) may be permitted; and may
delist the option class when all series within that class have
expired. See Cboe Rule 4.4, Interpretations and Policies .11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additionally, market participants may trade any options product,
including proprietary products, in the unregulated Over-the-Counter
(OTC) markets for which there is no requirement for fees related to
those markets to be public. Given the benefits offered by trading
options on a listed exchange, such as increased market transparency and
heightened contra-party creditworthiness due to the role of the Options
Clearing Corporation as issuer and guarantor, the Exchange generally
seeks to incentivize market participants to trade options on an
exchange, which further constrains fees that an Exchange may assess.
Market participants may also access other exchanges to trade other
similar or competing proprietary or multi-listed products. Alternative
products to the Exchange's proprietary products may include other
options products, including options on ETFs or options futures, as well
as particular ETFs or futures. Particularly, exclusively listed SPX
options (i.e., a proprietary product) may compete with the following
products traded on other markets: multiply-listed SPY options (options
on the ETF), E-mini S&P 500 Options (options on futures), and E-Mini
S&P 500 futures (futures on index). Indeed, as a practical matter,
investors utilize SPX and SPY options and their respective underlying
instruments and futures to gain exposure to the same benchmark index:
the S&P 500.
Notably, the Commission itself has affirmed that notwithstanding
the exclusive nature of SPX options, alternatives to this product exist
in the marketplace. Particularly, in approving SPXPM (the PM-settled
S&P 500 cash settled contract) on its affiliate exchange Cboe C2
Exchange, Inc. (which product was later transferred to the Exchange),
the Commission stated that it ``recognizes the potential impact on
competition resulting from the inability of other options exchanges to
list and trade SPXPM. In acting on this proposal, however, the
Commission has balanced the potentially negative competitive effects
with the countervailing positive competitive effects of C2's proposal.
The Commission believes that the availability of SPXPM on the C2
exchange will enhance competition by providing investors with an
additional investment vehicle, in a fully-electronic trading
environment, through which investors can gain and hedge exposure to the
S&P 500 stocks. Further, this product could offer a competitive
alternative to other existing investment products that seek to allow
investors to gain broad market exposure. Also, we note that it is
possible for other exchanges to develop or license the use of a new or
different index to compete with the S&P 500 index and seek Commission
approval to list and trade options on such index.'' \14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65256 (September 2,
2011), 76 FR 55969 (September 9, 2011) (SR-C2-2011-008). The
Exchanges notes SPXPM was later transferred to the Exchange, where
it currently remains listed. See Securities Exchange Act Release No.
68888 (February 8, 2013), 78 FR 10668 (February 14, 2013) (SR-CBOE-
2012-120).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The economic equivalence of SPX and SPY options was further
acknowledged and cited as a basis for the elimination of position
limits for SPY options across the industry not long after the
Commission's findings above in 2011.\15\ Moreover, other exchanges have
acknowledged that SPY options are considered to be an economic
equivalent to SPX options.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ See e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67936
(September 27, 2012), 77 FR 60491 (October 3, 2012) (SR-BOX-2012-
013). See also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67999 (October 5,
2012), 77 FR 62295 (October 12, 2012) (SR-Phlx-2012-122).
\16\ NYSE Euronext, on behalf of its subsidiary options
exchanges, NYSE Arca Inc. and NYSE Amex LLC, commented on a Nasdaq
OMX PHLX LLC (``PHLX'') proposal to increase the position limits for
SPY options, noting ``. . . when a contract that is considered by
many to be economically equivalent to SPY options--namely SPX
options . . .'' See (https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-phlx-2011-58/phlx201158-1.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additionally, in connection with a previous proposed amendment to
the National Market System Plan Governing the Consolidated Audit Trail
(``CAT
[[Page 8327]]
NMS Plan''),\17\ the Commission again discussed the existence of
competition in the marketplace generally, and particularly for
exchanges with unique business models. Similar to, and consistent with,
its findings in approving SPXPM, the Commission recognized that while
some exchanges may have a unique business model that is not currently
offered by competitors, a competitor could create similar business
models if demand were adequate, and if a competitor did not do so, the
Commission believes it would be likely that new entrants would do so if
the exchange with that unique business model was otherwise
profitable.\18\ Accordingly, although the Exchange may have proprietary
products not offered by other competitors, not unlike unique business
models, a competitor could create similar products to an existing
proprietary product if demand were adequate. As an illustration of this
point, MIAX created its exclusive product SPIKES specifically to
compete against VIX options, another product exclusive to the
Exchange.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 86901 (September 9,
2019), 84 FR 48458 (September 13, 2019) (File No. S7-13-19).
\18\ Id.
\19\ MIAX has described SPIKES options as ``designed
specifically to compete head-to-head against Cboe's proprietary
VIX[supreg] product.'' See MIAX Press Release, SPIKES Options
Launched on MIAX, February 21, 2019, available at https://www.miaxoptions.com/sites/default/files/press_release-files/MIAX_Press_Release_02212019.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accordingly, if a market participant views the Exchange's
proprietary products, including SPX and SPXW, as more or less
attractive than the competition they can switch between similar
products. As such, the Exchange is subject to competition and does not
possess anti-competitive pricing power, even with its offering of
proprietary products such as SPX.
The Exchange also believes the proposed fee is reasonable as the
Exchange believes it remains commensurate with the value of operating
as a Market-Maker on the Exchange's trading floor in the SPX pit. For
example, the Exchange recently transitioned from its previous trading
floor, which it had occupied since the 1980s, to a brand new, modern
and upgraded trading floor facility. The Exchange believes customers
continue to find value in open outcry trading and rely on the floor for
price discovery and the deep liquidity provided by floor Market-Makers.
The build out of a new modern trading floor reflects the Exchange's
commitment to open outcry trading and focus on providing the best
possible trading experience for its customers, including Market-Makers.
For example, the new trading floor provides a state-of-the-art
environment and technology and more efficient use of physical space,
which the Exchange believes better reflects and supports the current
trading environment. The Exchange also believes the new infrastructure
provides a cost-effective, streamlined, and modernized approach to
floor connectivity. For example, the new trading floor has more than
330 individual kiosks, equipped with top-of-the-line technology, that
enable floor participants to plug in and use their devices with greater
ease and flexibility. It also provides floor Market-Makers with more
space and increased capacity to support additional floor-based traders
on the trading floor.
Indeed, notwithstanding the proposed fee change, Market-Maker
presence on the new trading floor in SPX and SPXW has increased.
Particularly, as of December 30, 2022, there are 12 additional Market-
Makers trading SPX and SPXW on the trading floor as compared to May
2022 (which was the month prior to the proposed fee change being
implemented on a permanent basis and transition to the new trading
floor).\20\ Further, in June 2022, the month in which the proposed fee
change took effect on the new trading floor on a permanent basis, there
were 5 additional Market-Makers trading SPX and SPXW on the trading
Floor as compared to May 2022. Further, as of December 30, 2022, there
are 4 additional Market-Makers trading SPX and SPXW on the trading
floor as compared to March 2020, which was the last month the Exchange
assessed $3,000 for the SPX and SPXW Floor Market Maker Tier
Appointment fee. The Exchange believes the increasing SPX and SPXW
Market-Maker presence on the trading floor since the last time the
Exchange assessed $3,000 for the SPX and SPXW Floor Market Maker Tier
Appointment fee (i.e., March 2020) and since the time the current
proposal was submitted (i.e., June 2020) speaks not only to the value
Market-Makers find in participating as a Market-Maker in SPX and SPXW
on the (new and improved) trading floor, but also to the reasonableness
of the fee. Moreover, as established above, if a Market-Maker viewed
trading SPX and SPXW as less attractive than competitive products,
including those described above, they can switch between such similar
products and choose not to remain as a Market-Maker trading SPX and SPX
on the trading floor. As such, the Exchange is subject to competition
and does not possess anti-competitive pricing power, even with its
offering of proprietary products such as SPX.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\20\ As noted above, the Exchange has been assessing $5,000 for
the SPX and SPXW Floor Market Maker Tier Appointment fee since June
2020 as the Exchange was operating in a modified state until its
transition to the new trading floor in June 2022, at which time the
Exchange submitted this proposal to make such increase permanent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also, as noted above, market participants are not obligated to
trade on the Exchange's trading floor and therefore a market
participant, including Market-Makers, can choose to trade a product
electronically instead of on the Exchange's trading floor at any time
and for any reason, including due to an assessment of the
reasonableness of fees charged. In particular, SPX and SPXW open outcry
volume currently accounts for only approximately 26% of total SPX and
SPXW volume (i.e., approximately 74% is traded electronically).
Accordingly, Market-Makers may also choose to trade SPX and SPXW
electronically should they deem fees associated with trading on the
trading floor as unreasonable, further demonstrating that the Exchange
is constrained from imposing unreasonable and supracompetitive fees.
The Exchange finally believes its proposal to increase the SPX (and
SPXW) Floor Market-Maker Tier Appointment fee is reasonable because the
proposed amount is not significantly higher than was previously
assessed (and is the same amount that has been assessed under Footnote
24 for the last two years). Additionally, the Exchange believes its
proposal to increase the fee is reasonable as the fee amount has not
been increased since it was adopted over 12 years ago in July 2010.\21\
Particularly, since its adoption 12 years ago, there has been notable
inflation. Indeed, the dollar has had an average inflation rate of 2.6%
per year between 2010 and today, producing a cumulative price increase
of approximately 37% inflation since 2010, when the SPX and SPXW Floor
Market-Maker Tier Appointment was first adopted.\22\ Additionally, for
nearly ten years, Market-Makers were only subject to the original rate
that was adopted in 2010 (i.e., $3,000) notwithstanding an average
inflation rate of 2.64% per year. The Exchange acknowledges its
proposed fee exceeds 37%. However, the Exchange believes such increase
is reasonable given many Market-Makers for nearly 10 years did not have
to pay increased fees notwithstanding yearly inflation. For
[[Page 8328]]
example, by not increasing the fee each year to correspond to the
average per year inflation rate of 2.6%, Market-Makers trading SPX on
the trading floor since 2011 through 2020 (when then Exchange
originally increased the fee due to the COVID-19 pandemic) have saved
nearly $10,000. The Exchange therefore believes that proposing a fee in
excess of the cumulative 37% inflation rate is still reasonable,
especially when considered in conjunction with all of the additional
and further rationale discussed above. The Exchange is also unaware of
any standard that suggests any fee proposal that exceeds a yearly or
cumulative inflation rate is unreasonable.
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\21\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62386 (June 25,
2010), 75 FR 38566 (July 2, 2010) (SR-CBOE-2010-060).
\22\ See https://www.officialdata.org/us/inflation/2010?amount=1.
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The proposed change is also equitable and not unfairly
discriminatory as it applies to all Market-Makers that trade SPX on the
trading floor uniformly. The Exchange believes it's reasonable
equitable and not unfairly discriminatory to increase the SPX/SPXW
floor Market-Maker Tier Appointment fee and not the SPX/SPXW electronic
Market-Maker Tier Appointment fee, as Floor Market-Makers are not
subject to other costs that electronic Market-Makers are subject to.
For example, while all Floor Market-Makers automatically have an
appointment to trade open outcry in all classes traded on the Exchange
and at no additional cost per appointment, electronic Market-Makers
must select an appointment in a class (such as SPX) to make markets
electronically and such appointments are subject to fees under the
Market-Maker Electronic Appointments Sliding Scale.\23\
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\23\ See Cboe Options Rules 5.50(a) and (e). See also Cboe
Options Fees Schedule, Market-Maker EAP Appointments Sliding Scale.
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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 that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange does not
believe that the proposed rule changes will impose any burden on
intramarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act because the proposed changes
would be applied in the same manner to all Floor Market-Makers that
trade SPX (and/or SPXW). As noted above, the Exchange believes it's
reasonable to increase the SPX/SPWX Tier Appointment Fee for only Floor
Market-Makers only as opposed to electronic Market-Makers, because
electronic Market-Makers are subject to costs Floor Market-Makers are
not, such as the fees under Market-Maker EAP Appointments Sliding
Scale.
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on intermarket competition that is not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act because the
proposed rule changes apply only to a fee relating to a product
exclusively listed on the Exchange. Additionally, the Exchange operates
in a highly competitive market. In addition to Cboe Options, TPHs have
numerous alternative venues that they may participate on (which, as
described above, list products that compete with SPX options) and
direct their order flow, including 15 other options exchanges (four of
which also maintain physical trading floors), as well as off-exchange
venues, where competitive products are available for trading. Based on
publicly available information, no single options exchange has more
than 17% of the market share of executed volume of options trades.\24\
Therefore, no exchange possesses significant pricing power in the
execution of option order flow. Moreover, the Commission has repeatedly
expressed its preference for competition over regulatory intervention
in determining prices, products, and services in the securities
markets. Specifically, 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.'' \25\ The fact that this market is competitive has also
long been recognized by the courts. In NetCoalition v. Securities and
Exchange Commission, the D.C. Circuit stated as follows: ``[n]o one
disputes that competition for order flow is `fierce.' . . . As the SEC
explained, `[i]n the U.S. national market system, buyers and sellers of
securities, and the broker-dealers that act as their order-routing
agents, have a wide range of choices of where to route orders for
execution'; [and] `no exchange can afford to take its market share
percentages for granted' because `no exchange possesses a monopoly,
regulatory or otherwise, in the execution of order flow from broker
dealers' . . . .''.\26\ Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe its
proposed changes to the incentive programs impose any burden on
competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the
purposes of the Act.
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\24\ See Cboe Global Markets, U.S. Options Market Volume Summary
by Month (January 19, 2023), available at https://markets.cboe.com/us/options/market_share/.
\25\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9,
2005), 70 FR 37496, 37499 (June 29, 2005).
\26\ NetCoalition v. SEC, 615 F.3d 525, 539 (D.C. Cir. 2010)
(quoting Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59039 (December 2,
2008), 73 FR 74770, 74782-83 (December 9, 2008) (SR-NYSEArca-2006-
21)).
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C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the
proposed rule change.
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) of the Act \27\ and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b-4 \28\
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 will institute proceedings to
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or
disapproved.
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\27\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\28\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).
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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-CBOE-2023-008 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-CBOE-2023-008. 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
[[Page 8329]]
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-
CBOE-2023-008 and should be submitted on or before March 1, 2023.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\29\
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\29\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-02602 Filed 2-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P