77 FR 77 pgs. 23767-23768 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Fees Schedule
Type: NOTICEVolume: 77Number: 77Pages: 23767 - 23768
Docket number: [Release No. 34-66812; File No. SR-CBOE-2012-037]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2012-9526 Filed 4-19-12; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-66812; File No. SR-CBOE-2012-037]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Fees Schedule
April 16, 2012.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act"),1and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2notice is hereby given that on April 10, 2012, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (the "Exchange" or "CBOE") 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
The Exchange proposes to amend its Fees Schedule. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site ( http://www.cboe.org/legal ), 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 waive the CMI and FIX Login ID fees through September 30, 2012 for CMI and FIX Login IDs used to access the Exchange's FLEX Hybrid Trading System (the "CFLEX System") for FLEX Options3trading (the "Waiver"). CMI Client Application Servers and FIX Ports are used by Exchange Trading Permit Holders ("TPHs") to access CBOE direct, which is the platform provided by the Exchange to connect to Exchange systems. The Exchange assesses a fee of $500 per month for each CMI or FIX Login ID that a TPH uses to access CBOE direct (and $1000 per month for each CMI or FLEX Login ID that a Sponsored User uses to access CBOE direct ). The Exchange is in the process of enhancing the CFLEX System in order to further integrate it with the Exchange's existing CBOE direct technology platform.4As part of these enhancements, TPHs will connect to the CFLEX System through CBOE direct, and will need to get either a CMI or FIX Login ID to do so.5As such, the Exchange proposes the Waiver in order to encourage TPHs to trade on the CFLEX System.
Footnotes:
3 Flexible Exchange Options ("FLEX Options") provide investors with the ability to customize basic option features including size, expiration date, exercise style, and certain exercise prices. FLEX Options can be FLEX Index Options or FLEX Equity Options. In addition, other products are permitted to be traded pursuant to the FLEX trading procedures. For example, credit options are eligible for trading as FLEX Options pursuant to the FLEX rules in Chapters XXIVA and XXIVB. See CBOE Rules 24A.1(e) and (f), 24A.4(b)(1) and (c)(1), 24B.1(f) and (g), 24B.4(b)(1) and (c)(1), and 28.17. The rules governing the trading of FLEX Options on the FLEX Request for Quote ("RFQ") System platform (which is limited to open outcry trading only) are contained in Chapter XXIVA. The rules governing the trading of FLEX Options on the FLEX Hybrid Trading System platform (which combines both open outcry and electronic trading) are contained in Chapter XXIVB. The Exchange notes that, currently, all FLEX Options are traded on the FLEX Hybrid Trading System platform.
4 See, e.g., SR-CBOE-2012-033.
5 TPHs may also access the CFLEX System using an internet-based application. There is currently no login fee associated with the internet-based application.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.6Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,7which provides that Exchange rules may provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its TPHs and other persons using its facilities. The Waiver is reasonable because it will allow all TPHs trading FLEX Options on the CFLEX System to avoid having to pay a fee that they would otherwise have to pay. The Waiver is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because the Exchange believes that the Waiver will encourage TPHs to transact business in FLEX Options using the CFLEX System and encourage trading of customized options in an exchange environment.8The Exchange believes such increased business will provide greater FLEX Options trading opportunities for all market participants. Also, the transaction fees collected from this increased business will allow the Exchange to recoup costs expended in building and developing the CFLEX System.
Footnotes:
6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
8 The Exchange believes that FLEX Options provide TPHs and investors with an improved but comparable alternative to the over-the-counter ("OTC") market in customized options, which can take on contract characteristics similar to FLEX Options. The Exchange believes market participants benefit from being able to trade customized options in an exchange environment in several ways, including, but not limited to the following: (i) Enhanced efficiency in initiating and closing out positions; (ii) increased market transparency; and (iii) heightened contra-party creditworthiness due to the role of The Options Clearing Corporation as issuer and guarantor of FLEX Options.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
CBOE 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.
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)9of the Act and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b-410thereunder. 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.
Footnotes:
9 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
10 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).
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 email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-CBOE-2012-037 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-CBOE-2012-037. 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 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 Web site 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 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-CBOE-2012-037 and should be submitted on or before May 11, 2012.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.11
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.11
Footnotes:
11 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-9526 Filed 4-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P