77 FR 166 pgs. 51839-51840 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Regarding Client Information About Agency Orders of Floor Brokers
Type: NOTICEVolume: 77Number: 166Pages: 51839 - 51840
Docket number: [Release No. 34-67701; File No. SR-Phlx-2012-107]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2012-20970 Filed 8-24-12; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-67701; File No. SR-Phlx-2012-107]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Regarding Client Information About Agency Orders of Floor Brokers
August 21, 2012.
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 August 10, 2012, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC ("Phlx" or "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 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 make it possible for the staff of Phlx to require an immediate answer to their inquiries to floor brokers for client information about the agency orders those floor brokers handle. The text of the proposed rule change is available at http://nasdaqomxphlx.cchwallstreet.com/nasdaqomxphlx/phlx/, at Phlx'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, 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
Phlx proposes to have the ability to require an immediate answer to its inquiries to floor brokers related to the identity of the clients behind agency orders that the floor brokers handle. The current text of the rule to be amended provides each member, member organization or associated person a timeframe of two business days to respond to the Exchange's inquiries in order for the response to be deemed as a prompt compliance. However, in the case where a floor broker receives an agency order from his client, the Exchange's regulatory staff must be able to know immediately the identity of that client when the order is subject of a complaint or otherwise requires regulatory review. Such authority is necessary in order for the Phlx regulatory staff to be able to take an action regarding concerns that stem from their observation of order handling, a complaint by a market participant, or a complaint by regulatory staff from another self-regulatory organization that is party to an information sharing agreement with Phlx. Accordingly, Phlx is proposing that the fines provided for in Option Floor Procedure F-8 will be assessed if a floor broker fails to respond immediately to a request for information about its client.
2. Statutory Basis
Phlx believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,3in general, and with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,4in particular, in that the proposal is 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. Phlx believes that the change is necessary to give its staff the ability to provide appropriate surveillance of agency orders handled by floor brokers.
Footnotes:
3 15 U.S.C. 78f.
4 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
Phlx 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 Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act5and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.6Because 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) of the Act7and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.8
Footnotes:
5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
6 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
7 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
8 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the Exchange's intent to file the proposed rule change along with a brief description and 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.
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.
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 No. SR-Phlx-2012-107 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 No. SR-Phlx-2012-107. 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 such 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 referto File No. SR-Phlx-2012-107 and should be submitted on or before September 17, 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).
Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-20970 Filed 8-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P