Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE American LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Change To Make a Clarifying Change to the Term Settlement Style Applicable to Flexible Exchange Options, 20587-20589 [2023-07140]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 66 / Thursday, April 6, 2023 / Notices
Dated: April 3, 2023.
Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023–07225 Filed 4–5–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[SEC File No. 270–411, OMB Control No.
3235–0465]
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request; Extension: Rule
104
Upon Written Request, Copies Available
From: Securities and Exchange
Commission, Office of FOIA Services,
100 F Street NE, Washington, DC
20549–2736.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant
to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(‘‘PRA’’) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) has submitted to the
Office of Management and Budget
(‘‘OMB’’) a request for approval of
extension of the previously approved
collection of information provided for in
Rule 104 of Regulation M (17 CFR
242.104), under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.).
Rule 104 permits stabilizing by a
distribution participant during a
distribution so long as the distribution
participant discloses information to the
market and investors. This rule requires
disclosure in offering materials of the
potential stabilizing transactions and
that the distribution participant inform
the market when a stabilizing bid is
made. It also requires the distribution
participants (i.e., the syndicate manager)
to maintain information regarding
syndicate covering transactions and
penalty bids and disclose such
information to the Self-Regulatory
Organization. There are approximately
1,211 respondents per year that require
an aggregate total of approximately 242
hours per year to comply with this rule.
Each respondent makes an estimated 1
annual response. Each response takes
approximately 0.20 hours (12 minutes)
to complete. Thus, the total hour burden
per year is approximately 242 hours.
The total internal labor cost of
compliance for the respondents is
approximately $19,618.20 per year,
resulting in an internal cost of
compliance per respondent of
approximately $16.20 (i.e., $19,618.20/
1,211 respondents).
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.
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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
information collection should be sent by
May 8, 2023 to (i) www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain and (ii) David
Bottom, Director/Chief Information
Officer, Securities and Exchange
Commission, c/o John Pezzullo, 100 F
Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, or by
sending an email to: PRA_Mailbox@
sec.gov.
Dated: April 3, 2023.
Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023–07224 Filed 4–5–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–97231; File No. SR–
NYSEAMER–2023–22]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
American LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Change To Make a Clarifying Change
to the Term Settlement Style
Applicable to Flexible Exchange
Options
March 31, 2023.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’),2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3
notice is hereby given that on March 22,
2023, NYSE American LLC (‘‘NYSE
American’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the
proposed rule change as described in
Items I and II below, which Items have
been prepared by the self-regulatory
organization. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend
Commentary .01 under Rule 903G to
make a clarifying change to the flex term
settlement style applicable to Flexible
Exchange (‘‘FLEX’’) Options. The
proposed rule change is available on the
Exchange’s website at www.nyse.com, at
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
U.S.C. 78a.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
the principal office of the Exchange, and
at the Commission’s Public Reference
Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
self-regulatory organization included
statements concerning the purpose of,
and basis for, the proposed rule change
and discussed any comments it received
on the proposed rule change. The text
of those statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below.
The Exchange has prepared summaries,
set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
of the most significant parts of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend
Commentary .01 under Rule 903G to
make a clarifying change to the flex term
settlement style applicable to FLEX
Options.
FLEX Options are customized equity
or index contracts that allow investors
to tailor contract terms for exchangelisted equity and index options.
Commentary .01 under Rule 903G
currently states that, provided the
options on an underlying security or
index are otherwise eligible for FLEX
trading, FLEX Options will be permitted
in puts and calls that do not have the
same exercise style, same settlement
style, same expiration date and same
exercise price as Non-FLEX Options that
are already available for trading on the
same underlying security or index.4 The
rule also provides that FLEX Options
are permitted before the options are
listed for trading as Non-FLEX Options.
Once and if an option series is listed for
trading as a Non-FLEX Option series, (i)
all existing open positions established
under the FLEX trading procedures
shall be fully fungible with transactions
in the respective Non-FLEX Options
series, and (ii) any further trading in the
series would be as Non-FLEX Options
subject to the Non-FLEX trading
procedures and rules, however, in the
event a Non-FLEX series is added intraday, the holder of a position established
under FLEX Trading Procedures would
be permitted to close such position
using FLEX trading procedures against
another closing only FLEX position for
2 15
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20587
E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM
Rule 903G, Commentary .01.
06APN1
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 66 / Thursday, April 6, 2023 / Notices
the balance of the trading day on which
the series is added.5
Commentary .01 to Rule 903G is
designed to prevent the trading of a
FLEX Option that has the exact same
terms (underlying security, exercise
style, settlement style, expiration date
and exercise price) as a non-FLEX
Option. In other words, as long as just
one term of the FLEX Option is different
from an existing ‘‘regular’’ or ‘‘nonFLEX’’ option it may be traded as a
FLEX Option.
Under Exchange rules, certain FLEX
Equity Options where the underlying
security is an Exchange-Traded Fund
are permitted to be settled by delivery
in cash if the underlying security meets
prescribed criteria.6 The purpose of this
proposed rule change is to amend
Commentary .01 under Rule 903G to
clarify that the reference to ‘‘same
settlement style’’ in the rule applies to
FLEX Index Options and not to the
FLEX ETF Options permitted for listing
and trading pursuant to Rule
903G(c)(3)(ii).7 As proposed, the first
sentence in Commentary .01 under Rule
903G would be modified to state that
‘‘provided the options on an underlying
security or index are otherwise eligible
for FLEX trading, FLEX Options shall be
permitted in puts and calls that do not
have the same exercise style, same
settlement style (with respect to FLEX
index options only), same expiration
date and same exercise price as NonFLEX Options that are already available
for trading on the same underlying
security or index.’’ As a result of this
change, for FLEX ETF Options, at least
one of the following terms—exercise
style, expiration date and exercise
price—must differ from options in the
non-FLEX market. The Exchange
believes the proposed rule change will
add clarity and certainty regarding the
flex term settlement style applicable for
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
5 Id.
6 Rule 903G(c)(3)(ii) provides that the exercise
settlement for a FLEX ETF Option may be by
physical delivery of the underlying security or by
delivery in cash if the underlying security,
measured over a six-month period, has an average
daily notional value of $500 Million or more and
a national average daily volume (ADV) of at least
4,680,000 shares. See also Securities Exchange Act
Release No. 88131 (February 5, 2020), 85 FR 7806
(February 11, 2020) (SR–NYSEAmerican–2019–38)
(Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order
Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule
Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To
Allow Certain Flexible Equity Options To Be Cash
Settled).
7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79125
(October 19, 2016), 81 FR 73452 (October 25, 2016)
(SR–NYSEMKT–2016–48) (Adding 2 new
settlement styles for FLEX Index Options—Asian
and Cliquet—and adding a reference to settlement
style in Commentary .01 under Rule 903G).
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FLEX Options listed and traded on the
Exchange.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ‘‘Act’’),8 in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,9
in particular, in that it is designed to
prevent fraudulent and manipulative
acts and practices, to promote just and
equitable principles of trade, to remove
impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in
general, to protect investors and the
public interest.
The Exchange believes that clarity
regarding the flex term settlement style
applicable for FLEX Options will
promote fair and orderly markets by
eliminating potential confusion and
would allow ATP Holders and investors
with additional opportunities to trade
customized options in an exchange
environment.
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
proposed change is designed to more
clearly describe the current operation of
an existing rule without changing its
substance and, therefore, the Exchange
believes that the proposed change will
not impose a burden on competition.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited
or received with respect to the proposed
rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The Exchange has filed the proposed
rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 10 and Rule
19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.11 Because the
proposed rule change does not: (i)
significantly affect the protection of
investors or the public interest; (ii)
impose any significant burden on
competition; and (iii) become operative
prior to 30 days from the date on which
it was filed, or such shorter time as the
8 15
U.S.C. 78f(b).
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
9 15
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Sfmt 4703
Commission may designate, if
consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest, the
proposed rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) 12 of the Act and Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.13
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of such proposed rule change, the
Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if
it appears to the Commission that such
action is necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of the Act. If the
Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings
under Section 19(b)(2)(B) 14 of the Act 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–
NYSEAMER–2023–22 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–NYSEAMER–2023–22. 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
12 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-regulatory organization to
give the Commission written notice of its intent to
file the proposed rule change, along with a brief
description of the text of the proposed rule change,
at least five business days prior to the date of filing
of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time
as designated by the Commission. The Exchange
has satisfied this requirement.
14 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
13 17
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06APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 66 / Thursday, April 6, 2023 / 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–NYSEAMER–2023–
22 and should be submitted on or before
April 27, 2023.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.15
Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023–07140 Filed 4–5–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
[Release No. 34–97234; File No. SR–
NYSEARCA–2023–28]
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
March 31, 2023.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3
notice is hereby given that, on March
24, 2023, NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘NYSE
Arca’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I and II
below, which Items have been prepared
by the self-regulatory organization. The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 15 U.S.C. 78a.
3 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
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21:13 Apr 05, 2023
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implement the rule change on March 24,
2023.
The Exchange proposes to modify the
NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule (‘‘Fee
Schedule’’) regarding (1) credits for
Qualified Contingent Cross (‘‘QCC’’)
transactions, (2) fees applicable to
routed orders, and (3) certain Market
Maker incentives. The Exchange
proposes to implement the fee changes
effective March 24, 2023.4 The proposed
rule change is available on the
Exchange’s website at www.nyse.com, at
the principal office of the Exchange, and
at the Commission’s Public Reference
Room.
Currently, the Exchange offers
Submitting Brokers a credit of ($0.22)
per contract for Non-Customer vs. NonCustomer QCC transactions or ($0.16)
per contract for Customer vs. NonCustomer QCC transactions.6 QCC
executions in which a Customer is on
both sides of the QCC trade are not
eligible for a credit.7
The Exchange proposes to offer
additional credits on QCC transactions
to Submitting Brokers that meet certain
monthly volume thresholds. Submitting
Brokers who achieve 1.5 million QCC
contracts in a month will receive an
additional ($0.01) credit on Customer
vs. Non-Customer QCC transactions,
and an additional ($0.03) credit on NonCustomer vs. Non-Customer QCC
transactions. Submitting Brokers who
achieve 3 million QCC contracts in a
month will receive an additional ($0.02)
credit on Customer vs. Non-Customer
QCC transactions, and an additional
($0.06) credit on Non-Customer vs. NonCustomer QCC transactions. The
proposed additional credits would be
applicable back to the first QCC contract
executed by a Submitting Broker in a
month, but would not be cumulative
across tiers (e.g., a Submitting Broker
who transacts 3.1 million QCC contracts
in a month would be eligible for an
additional ($0.02) credit on Customer
vs. Non-Customer QCC transactions or
an additional ($0.06) credit on NonCustomer vs. Non-Customer QCC
transactions, but would not also earn
the additional credits offered to
Submitting Brokers that achieve 1.5
million QCC contracts in a month).
Although the Exchange cannot predict
with certainty whether the proposed
change would encourage Submitting
Brokers to increase their QCC volume,
the proposed change is intended to
continue to incentivize additional QCC
executions by Submitting Brokers by
increasing the credits available on such
orders.
Endnote 13 of the Fee Schedule
currently provides that QCC executions
in which a Customer is on both sides of
the QCC trade will not be eligible for the
Submitting Broker credit and that there
is a $375,000 maximum monthly credit
per firm on QCC transactions by a
Submitting Broker.8 The Exchange
recently modified the Fee Schedule to
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
self-regulatory organization included
statements concerning the purpose of,
and basis for, the proposed rule change
and discussed any comments it received
on the proposed rule change. The text
of those statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below.
The Exchange has prepared summaries,
set forth in sections A, B, and C below,
of the most significant parts of such
statements.
1. Purpose
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change To Modify the NYSE Arca
Options Fee Schedule
15 17
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
20589
The purpose of this filing is to amend
the Fee Schedule to (1) provide for
additional credits to qualifying
Submitting Brokers for QCC
transactions 5 and clarify the cap
applicable to QCC credits and Floor
Broker rebates earned through the
Manual Billable Rebate Program (‘‘FB
Rebates’’), (2) modify the Routing Fees
applicable to routed orders, and (3)
eliminate the Market Maker Incentive
For Penny Issues and the Market Maker
Incentive For Non-Penny Issues
(collectively, the ‘‘Market Maker
Incentives’’). The Exchange proposes to
4 The Exchange originally filed to amend the Fee
Schedule on March 1, 2023 (SR–NYSEARCA–2023–
22), then withdrew such filing and amended the
Fee Schedule on March 15, 2023 (SR–NYSEARCA–
2023–25), which latter filing the Exchange
withdrew on March 24, 2023.
5 A QCC Order is defined as an originating order
to buy or sell at least 1,000 contracts that is
identified as being part of a qualified contingent
trade coupled with a contra-side order or orders
totaling an equal number of contracts. See Rule
6.62P–O(g)(1)(A).
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QCC Transaction Credits
6 See Fee Schedule, QUALIFIED CONTINGENT
CROSS (‘‘QCC’’) TRANSACTION FEES AND
CREDITS.
7 See id.
8 See Fee Schedule, Endnote 13.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 66 (Thursday, April 6, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20587-20589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07140]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-97231; File No. SR-NYSEAMER-2023-22]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE American LLC; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Change To Make a
Clarifying Change to the Term Settlement Style Applicable to Flexible
Exchange Options
March 31, 2023.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the ``Act''),\2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby
given that on March 22, 2023, NYSE American LLC (``NYSE American'' or
the ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and
II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory
organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
\3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend Commentary .01 under Rule 903G to
make a clarifying change to the flex term settlement style applicable
to Flexible Exchange (``FLEX'') Options. The proposed rule change is
available on the Exchange's website at www.nyse.com, at the principal
office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization
included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the
proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared
summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most
significant parts of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and the
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend Commentary .01 under Rule 903G to
make a clarifying change to the flex term settlement style applicable
to FLEX Options.
FLEX Options are customized equity or index contracts that allow
investors to tailor contract terms for exchange-listed equity and index
options. Commentary .01 under Rule 903G currently states that, provided
the options on an underlying security or index are otherwise eligible
for FLEX trading, FLEX Options will be permitted in puts and calls that
do not have the same exercise style, same settlement style, same
expiration date and same exercise price as Non-FLEX Options that are
already available for trading on the same underlying security or
index.\4\ The rule also provides that FLEX Options are permitted before
the options are listed for trading as Non-FLEX Options. Once and if an
option series is listed for trading as a Non-FLEX Option series, (i)
all existing open positions established under the FLEX trading
procedures shall be fully fungible with transactions in the respective
Non-FLEX Options series, and (ii) any further trading in the series
would be as Non-FLEX Options subject to the Non-FLEX trading procedures
and rules, however, in the event a Non-FLEX series is added intra-day,
the holder of a position established under FLEX Trading Procedures
would be permitted to close such position using FLEX trading procedures
against another closing only FLEX position for
[[Page 20588]]
the balance of the trading day on which the series is added.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ See Rule 903G, Commentary .01.
\5\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary .01 to Rule 903G is designed to prevent the trading of a
FLEX Option that has the exact same terms (underlying security,
exercise style, settlement style, expiration date and exercise price)
as a non-FLEX Option. In other words, as long as just one term of the
FLEX Option is different from an existing ``regular'' or ``non-FLEX''
option it may be traded as a FLEX Option.
Under Exchange rules, certain FLEX Equity Options where the
underlying security is an Exchange-Traded Fund are permitted to be
settled by delivery in cash if the underlying security meets prescribed
criteria.\6\ The purpose of this proposed rule change is to amend
Commentary .01 under Rule 903G to clarify that the reference to ``same
settlement style'' in the rule applies to FLEX Index Options and not to
the FLEX ETF Options permitted for listing and trading pursuant to Rule
903G(c)(3)(ii).\7\ As proposed, the first sentence in Commentary .01
under Rule 903G would be modified to state that ``provided the options
on an underlying security or index are otherwise eligible for FLEX
trading, FLEX Options shall be permitted in puts and calls that do not
have the same exercise style, same settlement style (with respect to
FLEX index options only), same expiration date and same exercise price
as Non-FLEX Options that are already available for trading on the same
underlying security or index.'' As a result of this change, for FLEX
ETF Options, at least one of the following terms--exercise style,
expiration date and exercise price--must differ from options in the
non-FLEX market. The Exchange believes the proposed rule change will
add clarity and certainty regarding the flex term settlement style
applicable for FLEX Options listed and traded on the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ Rule 903G(c)(3)(ii) provides that the exercise settlement
for a FLEX ETF Option may be by physical delivery of the underlying
security or by delivery in cash if the underlying security, measured
over a six-month period, has an average daily notional value of $500
Million or more and a national average daily volume (ADV) of at
least 4,680,000 shares. See also Securities Exchange Act Release No.
88131 (February 5, 2020), 85 FR 7806 (February 11, 2020) (SR-
NYSEAmerican-2019-38) (Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order
Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified
by Amendment No. 1, To Allow Certain Flexible Equity Options To Be
Cash Settled).
\7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79125 (October 19,
2016), 81 FR 73452 (October 25, 2016) (SR-NYSEMKT-2016-48) (Adding 2
new settlement styles for FLEX Index Options--Asian and Cliquet--and
adding a reference to settlement style in Commentary .01 under Rule
903G).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section
6(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act''),\8\ in
general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\9\
in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism
of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in
general, to protect investors and the public interest.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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The Exchange believes that clarity regarding the flex term
settlement style applicable for FLEX Options will promote fair and
orderly markets by eliminating potential confusion and would allow ATP
Holders and investors with additional opportunities to trade customized
options in an exchange environment.
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 proposed change is
designed to more clearly describe the current operation of an existing
rule without changing its substance and, therefore, the Exchange
believes that the proposed change will not impose a burden on
competition.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the
proposed rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \10\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\11\
Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) significantly affect the
protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative prior to
30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as
the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) \12\ of the Act and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.\13\
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\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\12\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along
with a brief description of the text of the proposed rule change, at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under
Section 19(b)(2)(B) \14\ of the Act to determine whether the proposed
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
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\14\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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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-NYSEAMER-2023-22 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-NYSEAMER-2023-22. 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 20589]]
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-NYSEAMER-2023-22 and should
be submitted on or before April 27, 2023.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\15\
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\15\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-07140 Filed 4-5-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P