74 FR 113 pgs. 28304-28305 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Modify Pricing for NASDAQ “Flash” Functionality for Routable Orders

Type: NOTICEVolume: 74Number: 113Pages: 28304 - 28305
Docket number: [Release No. 34-60069; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2009-051]
FR document: [FR Doc. E9-13974 Filed 6-12-09; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version:  PDF Version

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-60069; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2009-051]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Modify Pricing for NASDAQ "Flash" Functionality for Routable Orders

June 8, 2009.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act")1and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2notice is hereby given that on June 4, 2009, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC ("NASDAQ" or the "Exchange") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("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.

Footnotes:

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

NASDAQ proposes a rule change to modify pricing for NASDAQ members that trade equities in the NASDAQ Market Center using the "Flash" functionality set forth in NASDAQ Rule 4758(a)(1)(A). This proposed rule change, which is effective upon filing, will become operative when the Flash functionality becomes available, currently scheduled for June 8, 2009. The text of the proposed rule change is available at http://nasdaqomx.cchwallstreet.com/, at NASDAQ's principal office, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

In its filing with the Commission, NASDAQ 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. NASDAQ 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

NASDAQ is establishing the price for members trading equities in the NASDAQ Market Center using NASDAQ's new pre-routing display or "Flash" functionality described in NASDAQ Rule 4758(a)(1)(A). The Flash functionality provides an optional pre-routing display period for orders using NASDAQ's DOT, SCAN or STGY routing strategies. When voluntarily employed by a member, the Flash-enabled routing strategies will first execute to the maximum extent possible in NASDAQ's book, before displaying the remaining share amounts and prices to NASDAQ market participants and market data vendors for a period of time not to exceed one-half of one second. If at the end of the Flash period the order is not executed or is partially executed, NASDAQ will route the order automatically to the appropriate venue selected by the chosen routing strategy.3

Footnotes:

3 For further details on the processing of Flash routing strategies, refer to Securities Exchange Act Release 59875 (May 6, 2009); 74 FR 22874 (May 14, 2009) (SR-NASDAQ-2009-043).

When Flash routing functionality becomes available for use it will be assessed the following fees: $0.0015 per share executed during the Flash period for firms that add more than 35 million shares of liquidity daily on average for the month, and $0.0010 per share executed during the Flash period for all other firms.

An order that is designated as Flash for routing can execute in a variety of ways. The following example will illustrate how an execution occurs and how NASDAQ will assess fees. An order that is designated as Flash for routing and that takes liquidity from the NASDAQ book prior to the Flash period will be assessed the standard fee of $0.0030 per share executed prior to the Flash period. If the unexecuted portion of that order provides liquidity on NASDAQ during the Flash period, it will be provided a liquidity rebate of either $0.0010 or $0.0015 per share executed during the Flash period based upon the member's average daily volume of liquidity provided. If the still unexecuted portion of the order is then routed to an away market, NASDAQ will assess the standard rate for routing (generally $0.0026). The remaining unexecuted shares are posted on the NASDAQ book and provided the standard rebate based on the firms' average daily liquidity provided based on the existing pricing tiers.

2. Statutory Basis

NASDAQ believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,4in general, and with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,5in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any facility or system which NASDAQ operates or controls. The proposed fee is consistent with that standard in that it applies equally to all members using the Flash functionality. It also recognizes the benefits of additional liquidity delivered to the NASDAQ market place when NASDAQ members utilize the Flash functionality.

Footnotes:

4 15 U.S.C. 78f.

5 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).

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

NASDAQ does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended.

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

Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

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

The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act6and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.7At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate 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.

Footnotes:

6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(a)(ii).

7 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ); or

• Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-NASDAQ-2009-051 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2009-051. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail 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 Web site ( http://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 inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 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; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2009-051 and should be submitted on or before July 6, 2009.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.8

Footnotes:

8 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

Florence E. Harmon,

Deputy Secretary.

[FR Doc. E9-13974 Filed 6-12-09; 8:45 am]

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