78 FR 221 pgs. 68895-68897 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Customer Rebate Program
Type: NOTICEVolume: 78Number: 221Pages: 68895 - 68897
Pages: 68895, 68896, 68897Docket number: [Release No. 34-70840; File No. SR-Phlx-2013-110]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2013-27323 Filed 11-14-13; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-70840; File No. SR-Phlx-2013-110]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Customer Rebate Program
November 8, 2013.
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 October 31, 2013, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC ("Phlx" or "Exchange") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC" or "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 Customer Rebate Program in Section B of the Pricing Schedule.
While the changes proposed herein are effective upon filing, the Exchange has designated that the amendments be operative on November 1, 2013.
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at http://nasdaqomxphlx.cchwallstreet.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 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 lower certain rebate tier percentage thresholds in the "Customer Rebate Program," in Section B of the Pricing Schedule to provide members a greater opportunity to receive Customer rebates.
[top] Currently, the Exchange has a Customer Rebate Program consisting of four tiers which pays Customer rebates
Footnotes:
3 Category A rebates are paid to members executing electronically-delivered Customer Simple Orders in Penny Pilot Options and Customer Simple Orders in Non-Penny Pilot Options in Section II of the Pricing Schedule. Rebates are paid on Customer PIXL Orders in Section II symbols that execute against non-Initiating Order interest, except in the case of Customer PIXL Orders that are greater than 999 contracts. All Customer PIXL Orders that are greater than 999 contracts are paid a rebate regardless of the contra party to the transaction.
4 Category B rebates are paid to members executing electronically-delivered Customer Complex Orders in Penny Pilot Options and Non-Penny Pilot Options in Section II. Rebates are paid on Customer PIXL Complex Orders in Section II symbols that execute against non-Initiating Order interest, except in the case of Customer PIXL Complex Orders that are greater than 999 contracts. All Customer PIXL Complex Orders that are greater than 999 contracts are paid a rebate regardless of the contra-party to the transaction.
5 See Section B of the Pricing Schedule.
6 A QCC Order is comprised of an order to buy or sell at least 1000 contracts that is identified as being part of a qualified contingent trade, as that term is defined in Rule 1080(o)(3), coupled with a contra-side order to buy or sell an equal number of contracts. The QCC Order must be executed at a price at or between the National Best Bid and Offer and be rejected if a Customer order is resting on the Exchange book at the same price. A QCC Order shall only be submitted electronically from off the floor to the PHLX XL II System. See Rule 1080(o). See also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64249 (April 7, 2011), 76 FR 20773 (April 13, 2011) (SR-Phlx-2011-47) (a rule change to establish a QCC Order to facilitate the execution of stock/option Qualified Contingent Trades ("QCTs") that satisfy the requirements of the trade through exemption in connection with Rule 611(d) of the Regulation NMS).
7 Members and member organizations under common ownership may aggregate their Customer volume for purposes of calculating the Customer Rebate Tiers and receiving rebates. Common ownership means members or member organizations under 75% common ownership or control.
8 SPY is included in the calculation of Customer volume in Multiply Listed Options that are electronically-delivered and executed for purposes of the Customer Rebate Program, however, the rebates do not apply to electronic executions in SPY.
| Customer Rebate Tiers | Percentage thresholds of national customer volume in Multiply-Listed Equity and ETF Options Classes, excluding SPY Options (Monthly) | Category A | Category B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0.00%-0.75% | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Tier 2 | Above 0.75%-1.60% | 0.12 | 0.17 |
| Tier 3 | Above 1.60%-2.60% | 0.14 | 0.17 |
| Tier 4 | Above 2.60% | 0.15 | 0.17 |
The Exchange is proposing to amend the percentage threshold of national customer volume in multiply-listed options in Tier 3 from "Above 1.60%-2.60%" to "Above 1.60%-2.50%." The Exchange also proposes to amend the Tier 4 percentage threshold from "Above 2.60%" to "Above 2.50%." The Exchange believes that by lowering the percentage threshold in Tier 4 to 2.50%, as well as shortening the Tier 3 rebate at 2.50%, a greater number of market participants may qualify for Tier 4 Customer rebates and this will encourage market participants to direct a greater number of Customer orders to the Exchange.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,9in general, and with Section 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,10in 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 the Exchange operates or controls, and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
Footnotes:
9 15 U.S.C. 78f.
10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
The Exchange believes that its proposal to lower the Tier 4 percentage threshold is reasonable because a greater number of market participants may qualify for the Tier 4 rebates. Tier 4 pays higher Category A rebates as compared to Tier 3 Category A rebates. Today, a Phlx member that qualified for a Tier 3 rebate would receive a Customer rebate of $0.14 per contract in Category A. That same member would receive a $0.15 per contract Category A rebate with this proposal if the member were to transact volume greater than 2.50% of total national customer volume in multiply-listed options in a month. The Exchange believes that lowering the Tier 4 rebate, thereby shortening the Tier 3 rebate at 2.50%, would cause members to direct an even greater number of Customer orders to the Exchange to qualify for the higher Tier 4 Category A rebate. The proposal would not impact a market participant that currently qualifies for a Tier 3 Category B rebate because both Tiers 3 and 4 pay a Category B Customer rebate of $0.17 per contract.
The Exchange believes that its proposal to lower the Tier 4 percentage threshold, thereby shortening the Tier 3 rebate at 2.50%, is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because it will be applied to all market participants in a uniform matter. Any market participant is eligible to receive the rebate provided they transact a qualifying amount of electronic Customer volume.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose an undue burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange believes that the Customer Rebate Program will continue to encourage Customer order flow to be directed to the Exchange. By incentivizing members to route Customer orders, the Exchange desires to attract liquidity to the Exchange, which in turn benefits all market participants. All market participants are eligible to qualify for a Customer Rebate.
The Exchange believes the proposed amendment would allow a greater number of market participants to qualify for Tier 4 Customer rebates. The Exchange believes this pricing amendment does not impose a burden on competition but rather that the proposed rule change will continue to promote competition on the Exchange.
[top] The Exchange operates in a highly competitive market, comprised of twelve options exchanges, in which market participants can easily and readily direct order flow to competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be excessive or rebates to be inadequate. Accordingly, the fees that are assessed and the rebates paid by the Exchange described in the above proposal are influenced by these
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were either solicited or 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 Act.11At 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. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.
Footnotes:
11 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
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
• 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 FileNumber SR-Phlx-2013-110 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.
• 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-Phlx-2013-110. 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 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-Phlx-2013-110 and should be submitted on or before December 6, 2013.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.12
Footnotes:
12 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-27323 Filed 11-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P