77 FR 113 pgs. 35091-35092 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Amend the CBOE Stock Exchange Fees Schedule
Type: NOTICEVolume: 77Number: 113Pages: 35091 - 35092
Docket number: [Release No. 34-67124; File No. SR-CBOE-2012-052]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2012-14164 Filed 6-11-12; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-67124; File No. SR-CBOE-2012-052]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Amend the CBOE Stock Exchange Fees Schedule
June 5, 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 May 31, 2012, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (the "Exchange" or "CBOE") 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.
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 the CBOE Stock Exchange ("CBSX") Fees Schedule. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site ( http://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx ), at the Exchange's Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission 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 the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend the CBSX Fees Schedule with regards to connectivity fees. CBSX recently moved its trading systems over to the Equinix NY4 facility ("NY4"). In addition to 1 Gigabit Ethernet ("1 Gbps") network access, NY4 has capacity to accommodate 10 Gigabit Ethernet ("10 Gbps") network access. The Exchange would like to make such a connection available to CBSX market participants. However, the equipment and infrastructure necessary to provide the 10 Gbps connection is more expensive than that necessary to provide a 1 Gbps connection. As such, the Exchange proposes to adopt a $1,000 per month fee for access to a 10 Gbps Network Access Port ($2,000 for Sponsored Users), and to clarify on the Fees Schedule that the connection currently being provided for $250 per month ($500 for Sponsored Users) is for a 1 Gbps connection to a Network Access Port. CBSX market participants will be able to elect to connect to CBSX's trading system via either a 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps Network Access port. Regardless of which is chosen, the Network Access Port fee will be assessed for each port that provides direct access to CBSX's trading system. The Exchange currently charges a different rate for regular access and Sponsored User access, and merely proposes to increase the rates in equal proportion.
The proposed change is to take effect on June 1, 2012.
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.3Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5)4requirements that the rules of an exchange be designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts, to remove impediments to and to perfect the mechanism for a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest, and with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act5, which provides that Exchange rules may provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its Trading Permit Holders and other persons using its facilities.
Footnotes:
3 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
4 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
5 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
Assessing a higher fee for 10 Gbps connectivity than for 1 Gbps connectivity is reasonable because 10 Gbps connectivity is more robust than 1 Gbps connectivity, and is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because 10 Gbps connectivity requires more costly equipment and maintenance, and the Exchange must recoup the costs related to providing 10 Gbps connectivity. Further, CBSX market participants may still elect for the less-expensive 1 Gbps connectivity. Finally, the amount of the fee for 10 Gbps connectivity is less than the amount of the fees for 10 Gbps connectivity assessed by other exchanges.6
Footnotes:
6 See New York Stock Exchange Price List, page 13, which lists monthly prices of $12,000-61,500 for different types of 10 Gbps connectivity (along with initial charges of $10,000-50,000) and International Securities Exchange Schedule of Fees, page 9, which lists a low-latency Ethernet network access fee of $7,000 per month.
Assessing higher fees for Sponsored Users is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because Sponsored Users are able to access the Exchange and use the equipment provided without possessing a trading permit. As such, Trading Permit Holders who have a trading permit will have a higher level of commitment to transacting business on CBSX and using Exchange facilities than Sponsored Users. Finally, these increases maintain the same proportionate amounts that are paid by regular users relative to Sponsored Users.
Clarifying that the current $250 monthly fee for a Network Access Port ($500 for Sponsored Users) is for a 1 Gbps connection removes impediments to and to perfect the mechanism for a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, protects investors and the public interest by eliminating any confusion about which connection will be assessed which fee (now that CBSX will be offering both the 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps connection 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)7of the Act and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b-48thereunder. 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:
7 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
8 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-2012-052 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-2012-052. 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 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal offices 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-2012-052, and should be submitted on or before July 3, 2012.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.9
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.9
Footnotes:
9 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-14164 Filed 6-11-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P