2011-13472. Joint Industry Plan; Notice of Filing of a National Market System Plan to Address Extraordinary Market Volatility by BATS Exchange, Inc., BATS Y-Exchange, Inc., Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated, Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc., ...  

  • Start Preamble Start Printed Page 31647 May 25, 2011.

    Pursuant to Section 11A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) [1] and Rule 608 thereunder [2] , notice is hereby given that, on April 5, 2011, NYSE Euronext, on behalf of New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE”), NYSE Amex LLC (“NYSE Amex”), and NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”), and the following parties to the proposed National Market System Plan: BATS Exchange, Inc., BATS Y-Exchange, Inc., Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated, Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc., EDGA Exchange, Inc., EDGX Exchange, Inc., Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc., NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC, the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, and National Stock Exchange, Inc. (collectively with NYSE, NYSE Amex, and NYSE Arca, the “Participants”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a proposed Plan to Address Extraordinary Market Volatility (“Plan”).[3] A copy of the proposed Plan is attached as Exhibit A hereto. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed Plan from interested persons.[4]

    I. Rule 608(a) of Regulation NMS

    A. Purpose of the Plan

    The Participants filed the proposed Plan in order to create a market-wide limit up-limit down mechanism that is intended to address extraordinary market volatility in “NMS Stocks,” as defined in Rule 600(b)(47) of Regulation NMS under the Act.[5] The proposed Plan sets forth proposed procedures that provide for market-wide limit up-limit down requirements that would be designed to prevent trades in individual NMS Stocks from occurring outside of the specified Price Bands.[6] These limit up-limit down requirements would be coupled with Trading Pauses, as defined in Section I(X) of the proposed Plan, to accommodate more fundamental price moves (as opposed to erroneous trades or momentary gaps in liquidity).

    As set forth in more detail in the proposed Plan, all trading centers [7] in NMS Stocks, including both those operated by Participants and those operated by members of Participants, would be required to establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to comply with the limit up-limit down and trading pause requirements specified in the proposed Plan.

    The single plan processor responsible for consolidation of information for an NMS Stock pursuant to Rule 603(b) of Regulation NMS under the Act [8] would be responsible for calculating and disseminating the applicable Price Bands as provided for in Section V of the proposed Plan. The Processor for each NMS stock would calculate and disseminate to the public a lower Price Band and an upper Price Band during regular trading hours, as defined in Section I(R) of the proposed Plan, for such NMS Stock. The Price Bands would be based on a reference price for each NMS Stock that equals the arithmetic mean price of Eligible Reported Transactions for the NMS stock over the immediately preceding five-minute period (except for periods following openings and reopenings). The Price Bands for an NMS Stock would be calculated by applying the Percentage Parameter[9] for such NMS Stock to the reference price, with the lower Price Band being a Percentage Parameter below the reference price, and the upper Price Band being a Percentage Parameter above the reference price.

    Section VI of the proposed Plan sets forth the details of the operation of the limit up-limit down mechanism. Section VI of the proposed Plan provides that all trading centers in NMS Stocks, including both those operated by Participants and those operated by members of Participants, would be required to establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent trades at prices that are below the lower Price Band or above the upper Price Band for an NMS Stock, consistent with the proposed Plan.

    As set forth in Section VI, when one side of the market for an individual security is outside the applicable Price Band (i.e., when the National Best Bid [10] is below the Lower Limit Band or the National Best Offer [11] is above the Upper Limit Band for an NMS Stock), the Processor would be required to disseminate such National Best Bid or National Best Offer with an appropriate flag identifying it as non-executable. When the other side of the market reaches the applicable Price Band (i.e., when the National Best Offer is equal to the Lower Limit Band or the National Best Bid is equal to the Upper Limit Band for an NMS Stock), the market for an individual security would enter a Limit State,[12] and the Processor would be required to disseminate such National Best Offer or National Best Bid with an appropriate flag identifying it as a Limit State Quotation.[13] Trading for an NMS Stock would exit a Limit State if, within 15 seconds of entering the Limit State, the entire size of all Limit State Quotations is executed or cancelled. If Start Printed Page 31648the market does not exit a Limit State within 15 seconds, then the Primary Listing Exchange [14] would declare a five-minute Trading Pause pursuant to Section VII of the proposed Plan.

    The Participants believe that, if implemented, the limit up-limit down mechanism specified in the proposed Plan will reduce the negative impacts of sudden, unanticipated price movements in NMS Stocks, thereby protecting investors and promoting a fair and orderly market. In particular, the Participants are proposing to adopt the Plan to address the type of sudden price movements that the market experienced on the afternoon of May 6, 2010.[15]

    B. Governing or Constituent Documents

    The governing documents of the Processor, as defined in Section I(P) of the proposed Plan, would not be affected by the proposed Plan, but if the proposed Plan is implemented, the Processor's obligations would change, as set forth in detail in the proposed Plan. In particular, as set forth in Section V of the proposed Plan, the Processor would be responsible for calculating and disseminating Price Bands during Regular Trading Hours, as defined in Section I(R) of the proposed Plan. Each Participant would take such actions as are necessary and appropriate as a party to the Market Data Plans, as defined in Section I(F) of the proposed Plan, to cause and enable the Processor for each NMS Stock to fulfill the functions set forth in the proposed Plan.

    C. Implementation of Plan

    The Participants propose that the initial date of the proposed Plan operations would be 120 calendar days following the publication of the Commission's order approving the proposed Plan in the Federal Register.

    D. Development and Implementation Phases

    The Participants propose that the Plan would be implemented as a one-year pilot program in two Phases, consistent with Section VIII of the proposed Plan. Phase I of proposed Plan implementation would apply immediately following the initial date of proposed Plan operations; Phase II of proposed Plan would commence six months after the initial date of the proposed Plan or such earlier date as may be announced by the Processor with at least 30 days notice. During Phase I, the proposed Plan would apply only to Tier 1 NMS Stocks, as defined in Appendix A of the proposed Plan, and the first Price Bands would be calculated and disseminated 15 minutes after the start of Regular Trading Hours, as specified in Section V(A) of the proposed Plan, and no Price Bands would be calculated and disseminated less than 30 minutes before the end of Regular Trading Hours. In Phase II, the proposed Plan would fully apply to all NMS Stocks beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET and ending at 4 p.m. ET each trading day.

    E. Analysis of Impact on Competition

    The Participants do not believe that the proposed Plan imposes any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Participants also do not believe that the proposed Plan introduces terms that are unreasonably discriminatory for the purposes of Section 11A(c)(1)(D) of the Act.[16]

    F. Written Understanding or Agreements relating to Interpretation of, or Participation in, Plan

    The Participants state that they have no written understandings or agreements relating to interpretation of the proposed Plan. Section II(C) of the proposed Plan sets forth how any entity registered as a national securities exchange or national securities association may become a Plan Participant.

    G. Approval of Amendment of the Plan

    Not applicable.

    H. Terms and Conditions of Access

    Section II(C) of the proposed Plan provides that any entity registered as a national securities exchange or national securities association under the Act may become a Participant by: (1) Becoming a participant in the applicable Market Data Plans, as defined in Section I(F) of the proposed Plan; (2) executing a copy of the Plan, as then in effect; (3) providing each then-current Participant with a copy of such executed Plan; and (4) effecting an amendment to the Plan as specified in Section III(B) of the proposed Plan.

    I. Method of Determination and Imposition, and Amount of, Fees and Charges

    Not applicable.

    J. Method and Frequency of Processor Evaluation

    Not applicable.

    K. Dispute Resolution

    The proposed Plan does not include specific provisions regarding resolution of disputes between or among Participants. Section III(C) of the proposed Plan provides for each Participant to designate an individual to represent the Participant as a member of an Operating Committee.[17] No later than the initial date of the Plan, the Operating Committee would be required to designate one member of the Operating Committee to act as the Chair of the Operating Committee. The Operating Committee would monitor the procedures established pursuant to the Plan and advise the Participants with respect to any deficiencies, problems, or recommendations as the Operating Committee may deem appropriate. Any recommendation for an amendment to the Plan from the Operating Committee that receives an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Participants, but is less than unanimous, would be submitted to the Commission as a request for an amendment to the Plan initiated by the Commission under Rule 608 of Regulation NMS under the Act.[18]

    II. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed National Market System Plan is consistent with the Act. A stated purpose of the proposed Plan is to address extraordinary market volatility, such as the sudden price movements that the market experienced on the afternoon of May 6, 2010. Since the events of May 6, 2010, staff of the Commission and the SROs have been working on a variety of initiatives to reduce the risk of a recurrence of the extraordinary market volatility in NMS stocks that was experienced on that day. One such initiative is the single-stock circuit breaker pilot program, which currently extends to securities included in the S&P 500 index, the Russell 1000® index, and select exchange-traded products.[19] The circuit breaker pilot is currently set to expire the earlier of August 11, 2011 or the date on which the limit up-limit down mechanism to Start Printed Page 31649address extraordinary market volatility, if adopted, applies.[20]

    • To the extent that the proposed Plan, if approved, would replace the current single-stock circuit breaker pilot, what are the advantages of a limit up-limit down mechanism over the current circuit breaker pilot? How would the limit up-limit down mechanism improve upon the current circuit breaker pilot? Would the proposed limit up-limit down mechanism prevent erroneous trades from occurring? What, if any, are the advantages of the current circuit breaker pilot over the proposed limit up-limit down mechanism?
    • With respect to competition, would the proposed Plan impact one category of market participants more than others? What, if any, costs would market participants incur as a result of the proposed Plan? Would different market participants bear any such costs differently? How would any such competitive impacts under the proposed Plan differ from the competitive impact, if any, that market participants have experienced under the current circuit breaker pilot?
    • What is “excessive short-term volatility?” Put another way, what level of volatility is appropriate in continuous trading, and at what point should circuit breakers or the proposed limit up-limit down mechanism take effect?
    • Section IX of the proposed Plan provides that a Participant may withdraw from the Plan, upon obtaining approval from the Commission and upon providing not less than 30 days written notice to the other participants. How, if at all, does the analysis of the impact of the proposed Plan upon competition change if one or more participants are permitted to withdraw from the proposed Plan? Would the operation of the proposed Plan be impaired if one or more participants were permitted to withdraw from the Plan?
    • Are the proposed percentage levels for the Price Bands appropriate? Are they sufficiently narrow to guard against excessive market volatility while sufficiently broad to allow trading to occur without triggering a Limit State too frequently? If not, what alternate percentage levels would be preferable?
    • Is 15 seconds an appropriate maximum length of time for a particular security to be in a Limit State? Is it long enough to reasonably attract additional available liquidity without recourse to a Trading Pause? Is it short enough to reasonably limit any market uncertainty that might accompany a Limit State?
    • Are the triggers for the Limit State appropriate? Would alternative triggers for entering the Limit State be more appropriate? For example, should a Limit State be entered when the National Best Bid falls below the Lower Limit Band (or the National Best Offer exceeds the Upper Limit Band), because at that point a seller (buyer) cannot submit a marketable order? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed approach? What, if any, are the advantages of alternative approaches? Please describe any other potential alternative trigger, as well as its relative strengths and weaknesses.
    • Are the conditions required to exit the Limit State appropriate? Should alternative or additional conditions be imposed in order to exit the Limit State, and why might those conditions be appropriate? For example, should more be required to confirm that the market for a particular security has rebounded from a Limit State than the removal of a Limit State Quotation, such as a confirming quote or trade within the Price Bands?
    • Are the proposed procedures relating to the functioning of the Operating Committee appropriate? Do they appropriately balance the protection of individual Participant interests with the efficient operation of the Plan? Are there ways to improve the proposed procedures for handling a recommendation from the Operating Committee for an amendment to the Plan that receives substantial, but less than unanimous, support from Participants?
    • Should the list of exchange-traded products proposed to be included in Phase I of the proposed Plan be expanded to include additional such products, i.e., other exchange-traded products that have component securities that largely track the securities included in the S&P 500 and Russell 1000?
    • Is the proposed phased-in implementation schedule workable? Why or why not? Should the implementation of Phase II of the proposed Plan be conditioned upon Commission approval?

    Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

    Electronic Comments

    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 4-631. 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 Web site viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the Participants' principal offices. 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 4-631 and should be submitted on or before June 22, 2011.

    Start Signature

    By the Commission.

    Elizabeth M. Murphy,

    Secretary.

    End Signature

    EXHIBIT A

    PLAN TO ADDRESS EXTRAORDINARY MARKET VOLATILITY SUBMITTED TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 608 OF REGULATION NMS UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934Start Printed Page 31650

    Table of Contents

    SectionPage
    Preamble1
    I. Definitions2
    II. Parties4
    III. Amendments to Plan6
    IV. Trading Center Policies and Procedures7
    V. Price Bands8
    VI. Limit Up-Limit Down Requirements10
    VII. Trading Pauses12
    VIII. Implementation14
    IX. Withdrawal from Plan14
    X. Counterparts and Signatures15
    Appendix A—Percentage Parameters17
    Appendix A—Schedule 118

    Preamble

    The Participants submit to the SEC this Plan establishing procedures to address extraordinary volatility in NMS Stocks. The procedures provide for market-wide limit up-limit down requirements that prevent trades in individual NMS Stocks from occurring outside of the specified Price Bands. These limit up-limit down requirements are coupled with Trading Pauses to accommodate more fundamental price moves. The Plan procedures are designed, among other things, to protect investors and promote fair and orderly markets. The Participants developed this Plan pursuant to Rule 608(a)(3) of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act, which authorizes the Participants to act jointly in preparing, filing, and implementing national market system plans.

    I. Definitions

    (A) “Eligible Reported Transactions” shall have the meaning prescribed by the Operating Committee and shall generally mean transactions that are eligible to update the last sale price of an NMS Stock.

    (B) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

    (C) “Limit State” shall have the meaning provided in Section VI of the Plan.

    (D) “Limit State Quotation” shall have the meaning provided in Section VI of the Plan.

    (E) “Lower Price Band” shall have the meaning provided in Section V of the Plan.

    (F) “Market Data Plans” shall mean the effective national market system plans through which the Participants act jointly to disseminate consolidated information in compliance with Rule 603(b) of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act.

    (G) “National Best Bid” and “National Best Offer” shall have the meaning provided in Rule 600(b)(42) of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act.

    (H) “NMS Stock” shall have the meaning provided in Rule 600(b)(47) of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act.

    (I) “Opening Price” shall mean the price of a transaction that opens trading on the Primary Listing Exchange, or, if the Primary Listing Exchange opens with quotations, the midpoint of those quotations.

    (J) “Operating Committee” shall have the meaning provided in Section III(C) of the Plan.

    (K) “Participant” means a party to the Plan.

    (L) “Plan” means the plan set forth in this instrument, as amended from time to time in accordance with its provisions.

    (M) “Percentage Parameter” shall mean the percentages for each tier of NMS Stocks set forth in Appendix A of the Plan.

    (N) “Price Bands” shall have the meaning provided in Section V of the Plan.

    (O) “Primary Listing Exchange” shall mean the Participant on which an NMS Stock is listed. If an NMS Stock is listed on more than one Participant, the Participant on which the NMS Stock has been listed the longest shall be the Primary Listing Exchange.

    (P) “Processor” shall mean the single plan processor responsible for the consolidation of information for an NMS Stock pursuant to Rule 603(b) of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act.

    (Q) “Pro-Forma Reference Price” shall have the meaning provided in Section V(A)(2) of the Plan.

    (R) “Regular trading hours” shall have the meaning provided in Rule 600(b)(64) of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act.

    (S) “Regulatory Halt” shall have the meaning specified in the Market Data Plans.

    (T) “Reference Price” shall have the meaning provided in Section V of the Plan.

    (U) “Reopening Price” shall mean the price of a transaction that reopens trading on the Primary Listing Exchange following a Trading Pause or a Regulatory Halt, or, if the Primary Listing Exchange reopens with quotations, the midpoint of those quotations.

    (V) “SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

    (W) “Trading center” shall have the meaning provided in Rule 600(b)(78) of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act.

    (X) “Trading Pause” shall have the meaning provided in Section VII of the Plan.

    (Y) “Upper Price Band” shall have the meaning provided in Section V of the Plan.

    II. Parties

    (A) List of Parties

    The parties to the Plan are as follows:

    (1) BATS Exchange, Inc., 8050 Marshall Drive, Lenexa, Kansas 66214

    (2) BATS Y-Exchange, Inc., 8050 Marshall Drive, Lenexa, Kansas 66214

    (3) Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated, 400 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605

    (4) Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc., 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605

    (5) EDGA Exchange, Inc., 545 Washington Boulevard, Sixth Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07310

    (6) EDGX Exchange, Inc., 545 Washington Boulevard, Sixth Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07310

    (7) Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., 1735 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20006Start Printed Page 31651

    (8) NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc., One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006

    (9) NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC, 1900 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

    (10) The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, 1 Liberty Plaza, 165 Broadway, New York, NY 10006

    (11) National Stock Exchange, Inc., 101 Hudson, Suite 1200, Jersey City, NJ 07302

    (12) New York Stock Exchange LLC, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005

    (13) NYSE Amex LLC, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005

    (14) NYSE Arca, Inc., 100 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60606

    (B) Compliance Undertaking

    By subscribing to and submitting the Plan for approval by the SEC, each Participant agrees to comply with and to enforce compliance, as required by Rule 608(c) of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act, by its members with the provisions of the Plan. To this end, each Participant shall adopt a rule requiring compliance by its members with the provisions of the Plan, and each Participant shall take such actions as are necessary and appropriate as a participant of the Market Data Plans to cause and enable the Processor for each NMS Stock to fulfill the functions set forth in this Plan.

    (C) New Participants

    The Participants agree that any entity registered as a national securities exchange or national securities association under the Exchange Act may become a Participant by: (1) Becoming a participant in the applicable Market Data Plans; (2) executing a copy of the Plan, as then in effect; (3) providing each then-current Participant with a copy of such executed Plan; and (4) effecting an amendment to the Plan as specified in Section III(B) of the Plan.

    III. Amendments to Plan

    (A) General Amendments

    Except with respect to the addition of new Participants to the Plan, any proposed change in, addition to, or deletion from the Plan shall be effected by means of a written amendment to the Plan that: (1) Sets forth the change, addition, or deletion; (2) is executed on behalf of each Participant; and, (3) is approved by the SEC pursuant to Rule 608 of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act, or otherwise becomes effective under Rule 608 of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act.

    (B) New Participants

    With respect to new Participants, an amendment to the Plan may be effected by the new national securities exchange or national securities association executing a copy of the Plan, as then in effect (with the only changes being the addition of the new Participant's name in Section II(A) of the Plan) and submitting such executed Plan to the SEC for approval. The amendment shall be effective when it is approved by the SEC in accordance with Rule 608 of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act or otherwise becomes effective pursuant to Rule 608 of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act.

    (C) Operating Committee

    (1) Each Participant shall select from its staff one individual to represent the Participant as a member of an Operating Committee, together with a substitute for such individual. The substitute may participate in deliberations of the Operating Committee and shall be considered a voting member thereof only in the absence of the primary representative. Each Participant shall have one vote on all matters considered by the Operating Committee. No later than the initial date of Plan operations, the Operating Committee shall designate one member of the Operating Committee to act as the Chair of the Operating Committee.

    (2) The Operating Committee shall monitor the procedures established pursuant to this Plan and advise the Participants with respect to any deficiencies, problems, or recommendations as the Operating Committee may deem appropriate. The Operating Committee shall establish specifications and procedures for the implementation and operation of the Plan that are consistent with the provisions of this Plan and the Appendixes thereto. With respect to matters in this paragraph, Operating Committee decisions shall be approved by a simple majority vote.

    (3) Any recommendation for an amendment to the Plan from the Operating Committee that receives an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Participants, but is less than unanimous, shall be submitted to the SEC as a request for an amendment to the Plan initiated by the Commission under Rule 608 of Regulation NMS.

    IV. Trading Center Policies and Procedures

    All trading centers in NMS Stocks, including both those operated by Participants and those operated by members of Participants, shall establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to comply with the limit up—limit down requirements specified in Sections VI of the Plan, and to comply with the Trading Pauses specified in Section VII of the Plan.

    V. Price Bands

    (A) Calculation and Dissemination of Price Bands

    (1) The Processor for each NMS stock shall calculate and disseminate to the public a Lower Price Band and an Upper Price Band during Regular Trading Hours for such NMS Stock. The Price Bands shall be based on a Reference Price for each NMS Stock that equals the arithmetic mean price of Eligible Reported Transactions for the NMS stock over the immediately preceding five-minute period (except for periods following openings and reopenings, which are addressed below). If no Eligible Reported Transactions for the NMS Stock have occurred over the immediately preceding five-minute period, the previous Reference Price shall remain in effect. The Price Bands for an NMS Stock shall be calculated by applying the Percentage Parameter for such NMS Stock to the Reference Price, with the Lower Price Band being a Percentage Parameter below the Reference Price, and the Upper Price Band being a Percentage Parameter above the Reference Price. The Price Bands shall be calculated beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET, and ending at 4:00 p.m. ET. Between 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. ET, and 3:35 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET, the Price Bands shall be calculated by applying double the Percentage Parameters set forth in Appendix A. If a Reopening Price does not occur within ten minutes after the beginning of a Trading Pause, the Price Band, for the first 30 seconds following the reopening after that Trading Pause, shall be calculated by applying triple the Percentage Parameters set forth in Appendix A.

    (2) The Processor shall calculate a Pro-Forma Reference Price on a continuous basis during Regular Trading Hours, as specified in Section V(A)(1) of the Plan. If a Pro-Forma Reference Price has not moved by 1% or more from the Reference Price currently in effect, no new Price Bands shall be disseminated, and the current Reference Price shall remain the effective Reference Price. When the Pro-Forma Reference Price has moved by 1% or more from the Reference Price currently in effect, the Pro-Forma Reference Price shall become the Reference Price, and the Processor shall disseminate new Start Printed Page 31652Price Bands based on the new Reference Price; provided, however, that each new Reference Price shall remain in effect for at least 30 seconds.

    (B) Openings

    (1) Except when a Regulatory Halt is in effect at the start of regular trading hours, the first Reference Price for a trading day shall be the Opening Price on the Primary Listing Exchange in an NMS Stock if such Opening Price occurs less than five minutes after the start of regular trading hours. During the period less than five minutes after the Opening Price, a Pro-Forma Reference Price shall be updated on a continuous basis to be the arithmetic mean price of Eligible Reported Transactions for the NMS Stock during the period following the Opening Price (including the Opening Price), and if it differs from the current Reference Price by 1% or more shall become the new Reference Price, except that a new Reference Price shall remain in effect for at least 30 seconds. Subsequent Reference Prices shall be calculated as specified in Section V(A) of the Plan.

    (2) If the Opening Price on the Primary Listing Exchange in an NMS Stock does not occur within five minutes after the start of Regular Trading Hours, the first Reference Price for a trading day shall be the arithmetic mean price of Eligible Reported Transactions for the NMS Stock over the preceding five minute time period, and subsequent Reference Prices shall be calculated as specified in Section V(A) of the Plan.

    (C) Reopenings

    (1) Following a Trading Pause in an NMS Stock, and if the Primary Listing Exchange has not declared a Regulatory Halt, the next Reference Price shall be the Reopening Price on the Primary Listing Exchange if such Reopening Price occurs within ten minutes after the beginning of the Trading Pause, and subsequent Reference Prices shall be determined in the manner prescribed for normal openings, as specified in Section V(B)(1) of the Plan. If such Reopening Price does not occur within ten minutes after the beginning of the Trading Pause, the first Reference Price following the Trading Pause shall be equal to the last effective Reference Price before the Trading Pause. Subsequent Reference Prices shall be calculated as specified in Section V(A) of the Plan.

    (2) Following a Regulatory Halt, the next Reference Price shall be the Opening or Reopening Price on the Primary Listing Exchange if such Opening or Reopening Price occurs within five minutes after the end of the Regulatory Halt, and subsequent Reference Prices shall be determined in the manner prescribed for normal openings, as specified in Section V(B)(1) of the Plan. If such Opening or Reopening Price has not occurred within five minutes after the end of the Regulatory Halt, the Reference Price shall be equal to the arithmetic mean price of Eligible Reported Transactions for the NMS Stock over the preceding five minute time period, and subsequent Reference Prices shall be calculated as specified in Section V(A) of the Plan.

    VI. Limit Up-Limit Down Requirements

    (A) Limitations on Trades and Quotations Outside of Price Bands

    (1) All trading centers in NMS Stocks, including both those operated by Participants and those operated by members of Participants, shall establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent trades at prices that are below the Lower Limit Band or above the Upper Limit Band for an NMS Stock. Single-priced opening, reopening, and closing transactions on the Primary Listing Exchange, however, shall be excluded from this limitation.

    (2) When a National Best Bid is below the Lower Limit Band or a National Best Offer is above the Upper Limit Band for an NMS Stock, the Processor shall disseminate such National Best Bid or National Best Offer with an appropriate flag identifying it as non-executable. When a National Best Offer is equal to the Lower Limit Band or a National Best Bid is equal to the Upper Limit Band for an NMS Stock, the Processor shall distribute such National Best Bid or National Best Offer with an appropriate flag identifying it as a “Limit State Quotation.”

    (3) All trading centers in NMS Stocks, including both those operated by Participants and those operated by members of Participants, shall establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent the display of offers below the Lower Price Band and bids above the Upper Price Band for an NMS Stock. The Processor shall disseminate an offer below the Lower Price Band or bid above the Upper Price Band that may be submitted despite such reasonable policies and procedures, but with an appropriate flag identifying it as non-executable; provided, however, that any such bid or offer shall not be included in National Best Bid or National Best Offer calculations.

    (B) Entering and Exiting a Limit State

    (1) All trading for an NMS Stock shall immediately enter a Limit State if the National Best Offer equals the Lower Limit Band and does not cross the National Best Bid, or the National Best Bid equals the Upper Limit Band and does not cross the National Best Offer.

    (2) When trading for an NMS Stock enters a Limit State, the Processor shall disseminate this information by identifying the relevant quotation (i.e., a National Best Offer that equals the Lower Price Band or a National Best Bid that equals the Upper Price Band) as a Limit State Quotation. At this point, the Processor shall cease calculating and disseminating updated Reference Prices and Price Bands for the NMS Stock until either trading exits the Limit State or trading resumes with an opening or re-opening as provided in Section V.

    (3) Trading for an NMS Stock shall exit a Limit State if, within 15 seconds of entering the Limit State, the entire size of all Limit State Quotations are executed or cancelled.

    (4) If trading for an NMS Stock exits a Limit State within 15 seconds of entry, the Processor shall immediately calculate and disseminate updated Price Bands based on a Reference Price that equals the arithmetic mean price of Eligible Reported Transactions for the NMS Stock over the immediately preceding five-minute period (including the period of the Limit State).

    (5) If trading for an NMS Stock does not exit a Limit State within 15 seconds of entry, the Limit State will terminate when the Primary Listing Exchange declares a Trading Pause pursuant to Section VII of the Plan. If trading for an NMS Stock is in a Limit State at the end of Regular Trading Hours, the Limit State will terminate when the Primary Listing Exchange executes a closing transaction in the NMS Stock or five minutes after the end of Regular Trading Hours, whichever is earlier.

    VII. Trading Pauses

    (A) Declaration of Trading Pauses

    If trading for an NMS Stock does not exit a Limit State within 15 seconds of entry during Regular Trading Hours, then the Primary Listing Exchange shall declare a Trading Pause for such NMS Stock and shall notify the Processor. The Processor shall disseminate this information to the public. No trades in an NMS Stock shall occur during a Trading Pause, but all bids and offers may be displayed.Start Printed Page 31653

    (B) Reopening of Trading During Regular Trading Hours

    (1) Five minutes after declaring a Trading Pause for an NMS Stock, and if the Primary Listing Exchange has not declared a Regulatory Halt, the Primary Listing Exchange shall attempt to reopen trading using its established reopening procedures. The Trading Pause shall end when the Primary Listing Exchange reports a Reopening Price.

    (2) The Primary Listing Exchange shall notify the Processor if it is unable to reopen trading in an NMS Stock for any reason other than a significant order imbalance and if it has not declared a Regulatory Halt. The Processor shall disseminate this information to the public, and all trading centers may begin trading the NMS Stock at this time.

    (3) If the Primary Listing Exchange does not report a Reopening Price within ten minutes after the declaration of a Trading Pause in an NMS Stock, and has not declared a Regulatory Halt, all trading centers may begin trading the NMS Stock.

    (4) When trading begins after a Trading Pause, the Processor shall update the Price Bands as set forth in Section V(C)(1) of the Plan.

    (C) Trading Pauses Within Five Minutes of the End of Regular Trading Hours

    (1) If a Trading Pause for an NMS Stock is declared less than five minutes before the end of Regular Trading Hours, the Primary Listing Exchange shall attempt to execute a closing transaction using its established closing procedures. All trading centers may begin trading the NMS Stock when the Primary Listing Exchange executes a closing transaction.

    (2) If the Primary Listing Exchange does not execute a closing transaction within five minutes after the end of Regular Trading Hours, all trading centers may begin trading the NMS Stock.

    VIII. Implementation

    (A) Phase I

    (1) Phase I of Plan implementation shall apply immediately following the initial date of Plan operations.

    (2) During Phase I, the Plan shall apply only to the Tier 1 NMS Stocks identified in Appendix A of the Plan.

    (3) During Phase I, the first Price Bands for a trading day shall be calculated and disseminated 15 minutes after the start of Regular Trading Hours as specified in Section (V)(A) of the Plan. No Price Bands shall be calculated and disseminated less than 30 minutes before the end of Regular Trading Hours, and trading shall not enter a Limit State less than 25 minutes before the end of Regular Trading Hours.

    (B) Phase II—Full Implementation

    (1) Six months after the initial date of Plan operations, or such earlier date as may be announced by the Processor with at least 30 days notice, the Plan shall fully apply (i) to all NMS Stocks; and (ii) beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET, and ending at 4:00 p.m. ET each trading day.

    IX. Withdrawal from Plan

    If a Participant obtains SEC approval to withdraw from the Plan, such Participant may withdraw from the Plan at any time on not less than 30 days' prior written notice to each of the other Participants. At such time, the withdrawing Participant shall have no further rights or obligations under the Plan.

    X. Counterparts and Signatures

    The Plan may be executed in any number of counterparts, no one of which need contain all signatures of all Participants, and as many of such counterparts as shall together contain all such signatures shall constitute one and the same instrument.

    IN WITNESS THEREOF, this Plan has been executed as of the __ day of ___ 2011 by each of the parties hereto.

    BATS EXCHANGE, INC.

    BY:

    CHICAGO BOARD OPTIONS EXCHANGE, INCORPORATED

    BY:

    EDGA EXCHANGE, INC.

    BY:

    FINANCIAL INDUSTRY REGULATORY AUTHORITY, INC.

    BY:

    NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC

    BY:

    NATIONAL STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.

    BY:

    NYSE AMEX LLC

    BY:

    BATS Y-EXCHANGE, INC.

    BY:

    CHICAGO STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.

    BY:

    EDGX EXCHANGE, INC.

    BY:

    NASDAQ OMX BX, INC.

    BY:

    THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET LLC

    BY:

    NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE LLC

    BY:

    NYSE ARCA, INC.

    BY:

    Appendix A—Percentage Parameters

    I. Tier 1 NMS Stocks

    (1) Tier 1 NMS Stocks shall include all NMS Stocks included in the S&P 500 Index, the Russell 1000 Index, and the exchange-traded products listed on Schedule 1 to this Appendix.

    (2) The Percentage Parameters for Tier 1 NMS Stocks with a Reference Price of $1.00 or more shall be 5%.

    (3) The Percentage Parameters for Tier 1 NMS Stocks with a Reference Price less than $1.00 shall be the lesser of (a) $0.15 or (b) 75%.

    II. Tier 2 NMS Stocks

    (1) Tier 2 NMS Stocks shall include all NMS Stocks other than those in Tier 1.

    (2) The Percentage Parameters for Tier 2 NMS Stocks with a Reference Price of $1.00 or more shall be 10%.

    (3) The Percentage Parameters for Tier 2 NMS Stocks with a Reference Price less than $1.00 shall be the lesser of (a) $0.15 or (b) 75%.

    (4) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Percentage Parameters for a Tier 2 NMS Stock that is a leveraged exchange-traded product shall be the applicable Percentage Parameter set forth in clauses (2) or (3) above, multiplied by the leverage ratio of such product.

    Appendix A—Schedule 1

    SymbolName
    AAXJiShares MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index Fund.
    ACWIiShares MSCI ACWI Index Fund.
    ACWXiShares MSCI ACWI ex US Index Fund.
    ADREBLDRS Emerging Markets 50 ADR Index Fund.
    Start Printed Page 31654
    AGGiShares Barclays Aggregate Bond Fund.
    AGZiShares Barclays Agency Bond Fund.
    AMJJPMorgan Alerian MLP Index ETN.
    BABPowerShares Build America Bond Portfolio.
    BBHBiotech HOLDRs Trust.
    BDGPowerShares DB Base Metals Long ETN.
    BIKSPDR S&P BRIC 40 ETF.
    BILSPDR Barclays Capital 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF.
    BIVVanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF.
    BKFiShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund.
    BLVVanguard Long-Term Bond ETF.
    BNDVanguard Total Bond Market ETF.
    BOSPowerShares DB Base Metals Short ETN.
    BRFMarket Vectors Brazil Small-Cap ETF.
    BSVVanguard Short-Term Bond ETF.
    BWXSPDR Barclays Capital International Treasury Bond ETF.
    CEWWisdomTree Dreyfus Emerging Currency Fund.
    CFTiShares Barclays Credit Bond Fund.
    CIUiShares Barclays Intermediate Credit Bond Fund.
    CSJiShares Barclays 1-3 Year Credit Bond Fund.
    CUTClaymore/Beacon Global Timber Index ETF.
    CVYClaymore/Zacks Multi-Asset Income Index ETF.
    CWBSPDR Barclays Capital Convertible Securities ETF.
    CYBWisdomTree Dreyfus Chinese Yuan Fund.
    DBAPowerShares DB Agriculture Fund.
    DBBPowerShares DB Base Metals Fund.
    DBCPowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund.
    DBOPowerShares DB Oil Fund.
    DBPPowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund.
    DBVPowerShares DB G10 Currency Harvest Fund.
    DDGProShares Short Oil & Gas.
    DEMWisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund.
    DFJWisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund.
    DGSWisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund.
    DIASPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust.
    DJPiPath Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index Total Return ETN/United States.
    DNOUnited States Short Oil Fund.
    DOGProShares Short Dow30.
    DVYiShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index Fund.
    DWMWisdomTree DEFA Fund.
    DWXSPDR S&P International Dividend ETF.
    ECHiShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund.
    EEBClaymore/BNY BRIC ETF.
    EEMiShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund/United States.
    EFAiShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund.
    EFGiShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index.
    EFViShares MSCI EAFE Value Index.
    EFZProShares Short MSCI EAFE.
    EISiShares MSCI Israel Capped Index Fund.
    EMBiShares JPMorgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Fund.
    EPIWisdomTree India Earnings Fund.
    EPPiShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund.
    EPUiShares MSCI All Peru Capped Index Fund.
    EUMProShares Short MSCI Emerging Markets.
    EWAiShares MSCI Australia Index Fund.
    EWCiShares MSCI Canada Index Fund.
    EWDiShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund.
    EWGiShares MSCI Germany Index Fund.
    EWHiShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund.
    EWIiShares MSCI Italy Index Fund.
    EWJiShares MSCI Japan Index Fund.
    EWKiShares MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index Fund.
    EWLiShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund.
    EWMiShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund.
    EWNiShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund.
    EWOiShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund.
    EWPiShares MSCI Spain Index Fund.
    EWQiShares MSCI France Index Fund.
    EWSiShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund.
    EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund.
    EWUiShares MSCI United Kingdom Index Fund.
    EWWiShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund.
    Start Printed Page 31655
    EWXSPDR S&P Emerging Small Cap ETF.
    EWYiShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund.
    EWZiShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund.
    EZAiShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund.
    EZUiShares MSCI EMU Index Fund.
    FBTFirst Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund.
    FCGFirst Trust ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index Fund.
    FDNFirst Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund.
    FNIFirst Trust ISE Chindia Index Fund.
    FXACurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust.
    FXBCurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust.
    FXCCurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust.
    FXDFirst Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund.
    FXECurrencyShares Euro Trust.
    FXFCurrencyShares Swiss Franc Trust.
    FXIiShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index Fund.
    FXYCurrencyShares Japanese Yen Trust.
    FXZFirst Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund.
    GAZiPath Dow Jones-UBS Natural Gas Subindex Total Return ETN.
    GCCGreenHaven Continous Commodity Index Fund.
    GDMarket Vectors—Gold Miners ETF.
    GDXJMarket Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF.
    GLDSPDR Gold Trust.
    GMFSPDR S&P Emerging Asia Pacific ETF.
    GMLSPDR S&P Emerging Latin America ETF.
    GSGiShares S&P GSCI Commodity Indexed Trust.
    GSPiPath GSCI Total Return Index ETN.
    GURSPDR S&P Emerging Europe ETF.
    GVIiShares Barclays Intermediate Government/Credit Bond Fund.
    GVTGrail American Beacon Large Cap Value ETF.
    GWXSPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF.
    GXCSPDR S&P China ETF.
    HAOClaymore/AlphaShares China Small Cap Index ETF.
    HYGiShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond Fund.
    IAIiShares Dow Jones US Broker Dealers Index Fund.
    IATiShares Dow Jones US Regional Banks Index Fund.
    IAUiShares COMEX Gold Trust.
    IBBiShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund.
    ICFiShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund.
    IDUiShares Dow Jones US Utilities Sector Index Fund.
    IDXMarket Vectors—Indonesia Index ETF.
    IEFiShares Barclays 7-10 Year Treasury Bond Fund.
    IEIiShares Barclays 3-7 Year Treasury Bond Fund.
    IEOiShares Dow Jones US Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Index Fund.
    IEViShares S&P Europe 350 Index Fund.
    IEZiShares Dow Jones US Oil Equipment & Services Index Fund.
    IFGLiShares FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate ex-US Index Fund.
    IGEiShares S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index Fund.
    IGFiShares S&P Global Infrastructure Index Fund.
    IGMiShares S&P North American Technology Sector Index Fund.
    IGNiShares S&P North American Technology-Multimedia Networking Index Fund.
    IGViShares S&P North American Technology-Software Index Fund.
    IGWiShares S&P North American Technology-Semiconductors Index Fund.
    IHEiShares Dow Jones US Pharmaceuticals Index Fund.
    IHFiShares Dow Jones US Healthcare Providers Index Fund.
    IHIiShares Dow Jones US Medical Devices Index Fund.
    IJHiShares S&P MidCap 400 Index Fund.
    IJJiShares S&P MidCap 400/BARRA Value Index Fund.
    IJKiShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index Fund.
    IJRiShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund.
    IJSiShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index Fund.
    IJTiShares S&P SmallCap 600/BARRA Growth Index Fund.
    ILFiShares S&P Latin America 40 Index Fund.
    INPiPath MSCI India Index ETN.
    IOOiShares S&P Global 100 Index Fund.
    IPESPDR Barclays Capital TIPS ETF.
    ITAiShares Dow Jones US Aerospace & Defense Index Fund.
    ITBiShares Dow Jones US Home Construction Index Fund.
    IVEiShares S&P 500 Value Index Fund.
    IVViShares S&P 500 Index Fund/US.
    IVWiShares S&P 500 Growth Index Fund.
    IWBiShares Russell 1000 Index Fund.
    Start Printed Page 31656
    IWCiShares Russell Microcap Index Fund.
    IWDiShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund.
    IWFiShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund.
    IWLiShares Russell Top 200 Index Fund.
    IWMiShares Russell 2000 Index Fund.
    IWNiShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund.
    IWOiShares Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund.
    IWPiShares Russell Midcap Growth Index Fund.
    IWRiShares Russell Midcap Index Fund.
    IWSiShares Russell Midcap Value Index Fund.
    IWViShares Russell 3000 Index Fund.
    IWWiShares Russell 3000 Value Index Fund.
    IWXiShares Russell Top 200 Value Index Fund.
    IWYiShares Russell Top 200 Growth Index Fund.
    IXCiShares S&P Global Energy Sector Index Fund.
    IXGiShares S&P Global Financials Sector Index Fund.
    IXJiShares S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index Fund.
    IXNiShares S&P Global Technology Sector Index Fund.
    IXPiShares S&P Global Telecommunications Sector Index Fund.
    IYCiShares Dow Jones US Consumer Services Sector Index Fund.
    IYEiShares Dow Jones US Energy Sector Index Fund.
    IYFiShares Dow Jones US Financial Sector Index Fund.
    IYGiShares Dow Jones US Financial Services Index Fund.
    IYHiShares Dow Jones US Healthcare Sector Index Fund.
    IYJiShares Dow Jones US Industrial Sector Index Fund.
    IYKiShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods Sector Index Fund.
    IYMiShares Dow Jones US Basic Materials Sector Index Fund.
    IYRiShares Dow Jones US Real Estate Index Fund.
    IYTiShares Dow Jones Transportation Average Index Fund.
    IYWiShares Dow Jones US Technology Sector Index Fund.
    IYYiShares Dow Jones US Index Fund.
    IYZiShares Dow Jones US Telecommunications Sector Index Fund.
    JJCiPath Dow Jones-UBS Copper Subindex Total Return ETN.
    JJGiPath Dow Jones-UBS Grains Subindex Total Return ETN.
    JKEiShares Morningstar Large Growth Index Fund.
    JKLiShares Morningstar Small Value Index Fund.
    JNKSPDR Barclays Capital High Yield Bond ETF.
    JXIiShares S&P Global Utilities Sector Index Fund.
    KBESPDR KBW Bank ETF.
    KCESPDR KBW Capital Markets ETF.
    KIESPDR KBW Insurance ETF.
    KOLMarket Vectors—Coal ETF.
    KRESPDR KBW Regional Banking ETF.
    KXIiShares S&P Global Consumer Staples Sector Index Fund.
    LQDiShares iBoxx Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund.
    MBBiShares Barclays MBS Bond Fund.
    MBGSPDR Barclays Capital Mortgage Backed Bond ETF.
    MDYSPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust.
    MINTPIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Strategy Fund.
    MLPIUBS E-TRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure ETN.
    MLPNCredit Suisse Cushing 30 MLP Index ETN.
    MOOMarket Vectors—Agribusiness ETF.
    MUBiShares S&P National Municipal Bond Fund.
    MXIiShares S&P Global Materials Sector Index Fund.
    MYYProShares Short MidCap400.
    OEFiShares S&P 100 Index Fund.
    OIHOil Services Holders Trust.
    OILiPath Goldman Sachs Crude Oil Total Return Index ETN.
    OLOPowerShares DB Crude Oil Long ETN.
    ONEQFidelity NASDAQ Composite Index Tracking Stock ETF.
    PALLETFS Palladium Trust.
    PBWPowershares WilderHill Clean Energy Portfolio.
    PCEFPowerShares CEF Income Composite Portfolio.
    PCYPowerShares Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt Portfolio.
    PFFiShares S&P US Preferred Stock Index Fund.
    PGFPowerShares Financial Preferred Portfolio.
    PGJPowershares Golden Dragon Halter USX China Portfolio.
    PGPowerShares Preferred Portfolio.
    PHBPowerShares High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio.
    PHOPowerShares Water Resources Portfolio.
    PHYSSprott Physical Gold Trust.
    PIDPowerShares International Dividend Achievers Portfolio.
    Start Printed Page 31657
    PINPowerShares India Portfolio.
    PIOPowerShares Global Water Portfolio.
    PMAPowerShares Active Mega Cap Fund.
    PPHPharmaceutical HOLDRs Trust.
    PPLTETFS Platinum Trust.
    PQYPowerShares Active AlphaQ Fund.
    PRFPowershares FTSE RAFI US 1000 Portfolio.
    PRFZPowerShares FTSE RAFI US 1500 Small-Mid Portfolio.
    PSQProShares Short QQQ.
    PVIPowerShares VRDO Tax Free Weekly Portfolio.
    PWVPowerShares Dynamic Large Cap Value Portfolio.
    PXHPowerShares FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets Portfolio.
    PZAPowerShares Insured National Municipal Bond Portfolio.
    QQQQPowershares QQQ.
    QTECFirst Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Index Fund.
    REKProShares Short Real Estate.
    RFGRydex S&P Midcap 400 Pure Growth ETF.
    RJAELEMENTS Linked to the Rogers International Commodity Index—Agri Tot Return.
    RJIELEMENTS Linked to the Rogers International Commodity Index—Total Return.
    RKHRegional Bank HOLDRs Trust.
    RPVRydex S&P 500 Pure Value ETF.
    RSPRydex S&P Equal Weight ETF.
    RSXMarket Vectors—Russia ETF.
    RTHRetail HOLDRs Trust.
    RWJRevenueShares Small Cap Fund.
    RWKRevenueShares Mid Cap Fund.
    RWLRevenueShares Large Cap Fund.
    RWMProShares Short Russell2000.
    RWRSPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF.
    RWXSPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF.
    RZVRydex S&P Smallcap 600 Pure Value ETF.
    SBBProShares Short SmallCap600.
    SBMProShares Short Basic Materials.
    SCHASchwab US Small-Cap ETF.
    SCHBSchwab US Broad Market ETF.
    SCHESchwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF.
    SCHFSchwab International Equity ETF.
    SCHXSchwab US Large-Cap ETF.
    SCZiShares MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index Fund.
    SDYSPDR S&P Dividend ETF.
    SEFProShares Short Financials.
    SGGiPath Dow Jones-UBS Sugar Subindex Total Return ETN.
    SGOLETFS Gold Trust.
    SHProShares Short S&P500.
    SHMSPDR Nuveen Barclays Capital Short Term Municipal Bond ETF.
    SHViShares Barclays Short Treasury Bond Fund.
    SHYiShares Barclays 1-3 Year Treasury Bond Fund.
    SILGlobal X Silver Miners ETF.
    SIVRETFS Silver Trust.
    SLViShares Silver Trust.
    SLXMarket Vectors—Steel Index Fund.
    SMHSemiconductor HOLDRs Trust.
    SPYSPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust.
    STPZPIMCO 1-5 Year US TIPS Index Fund.
    SUBiShares S&P Short Term National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund.
    TANClaymore/MAC Global Solar Energy Index ETF.
    TBFProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury.
    TFISPDR Nuveen Barclays Capital Municipal Bond ETF.
    THDiShares MSCI Thailand Index Fund.
    TIPiShares Barclays TIPS Bond Fund.
    TLHiShares Barclays 10-20 Year Treasury Bond Fund.
    TLTiShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund.
    TURiShares MSCI Turkey Index Fund.
    TUZPIMCO 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index Fund.
    UDNPowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bearish Fund.
    UGAUnited States Gasoline Fund LP.
    UNGUnited States Natural Gas Fund LP.
    USOUnited States Oil Fund LP.
    UUPPowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund.
    VAWVanguard Materials ETF.
    VBVanguard Small-Cap ETF.
    VBKVanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF.
    Start Printed Page 31658
    VBRVanguard Small-Cap Value ETF.
    VCITVanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF.
    VCRVanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF.
    VCSHVanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF.
    VDCVanguard Consumer Staples ETF.
    VDVanguard Energy ETF.
    VEAVanguard Europe Pacific ETF.
    VEUVanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF.
    VFHVanguard Financials ETF.
    VGKVanguard European ETF.
    VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF.
    VHTVanguard Health Care ETF.
    VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF.
    VISVanguard Industrials ETF.
    VNMMarket Vectors Vietnam ETF.
    VNQVanguard REIT ETF.
    VOVanguard Mid-Cap ETF.
    VOEVanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund.
    VOTVanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund.
    VPLVanguard Pacific ETF.
    VPUVanguard Utilities ETF.
    VSSVanguard FTSE All World ex-US Small-Cap ETF.
    VTVanguard Total World Stock Index Fund ETF.
    VTIVanguard Total Stock Market ETF.
    VTVVanguard Value ETF.
    VUGVanguard Growth ETF.
    VVVanguard Large-Cap ETF.
    VWOVanguard Emerging Markets ETF.
    VXFVanguard Extended Market ETF.
    VXXiPATH S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN.
    VXZiPATH S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN.
    VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield ETF.
    WIPSPDR DB International Government Inflation-Protected Bond ETF.
    XBISPDR S&P Biotech ETF.
    XESSPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF.
    XHBSPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF.
    XLBMaterials Select Sector SPDR Fund.
    XLEEnergy Select Sector SPDR Fund.
    XLFFinancial Select Sector SPDR Fund.
    XLGRydex Russell Top 50 ETF.
    XLIIndustrial Select Sector SPDR Fund.
    XLKTechnology Select Sector SPDR Fund.
    XLPConsumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund.
    XLUUtilities Select Sector SPDR Fund.
    XLVHealth Care Select Sector SPDR Fund.
    XLYConsumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund.
    XMESPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF.
    XOPSPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF.
    XPHSPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF.
    XRTSPDR S&P Retail ETF.
    XSDSPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF.
    YXIProShares Short FTSE/Xinhua China 25.
    Start Printed Page 31659 End Preamble

    Footnotes

    3.  See Letter from Janet M. McGinness, Senior Vice President, Legal and Corporate Secretary, NYSE Euronext, to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Commission, dated April 5, 2011.

    Back to Citation

    4.  For additional discussion about the Plan, including its relation to the single-stock circuit breakers, see discussion in Section II, infra.

    Back to Citation

    5.  17 CFR 242.600(b)(47). See also Section I(H) of the proposed Plan.

    Back to Citation

    6.  As set forth in Section V of the proposed Plan, the Price Bands shall consist of a Lower Price Band and an Upper Price Band for each NMS Stock. The Price Bands shall be based on a Reference Price that equals the arithmetic mean price of Eligible Reported Transactions for the NMS stock over the immediately preceding five-minute period. As defined in the proposed Plan, Eligible Reported Transactions shall have the meaning prescribed by the Operating Committee for the proposed Plan, and generally mean transactions that are eligible to update the sale price of an NMS Stock.

    Back to Citation

    7.  As defined in Section I(W) of the proposed Plan, a trading center shall have the meaning provided in Rule 600(b)(78) of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act.

    Back to Citation

    8.  17 CFR 242.603(b). The proposed Plan refers to this entity as the Processor.

    Back to Citation

    9.  As defined in Section (I)(M) of the proposed Plan, the Percentage Parameter shall mean the percentages for each tier of NMS Stocks set forth in Appendix A of the Plan. As such, the Percentage Parameters for Tier 1 NMS Stocks with a Reference Price of $1.00 or more shall be 5%, and the Percentage Parameters for Tier 2 NMS Stocks with a Reference Price of $1.00 or more shall be 10%. For Tier 1 and Tier 2 NMS Stocks with a Reference Price less than $1.00, the Percentage Parameters shall be the lesser of $0.15 or 75%. The Percentage Parameters for a Tier 2 NMS Stock that is a leveraged exchange-traded product shall be the applicable Percentage Parameter multiplied by the leverage ratio of such product.

    Back to Citation

    10.  17 CFR 242.600(b)(42). See also Section I(G) of the proposed Plan.

    Back to Citation

    12.  As set forth in Section VI(B) of the proposed Plan, when trading for an NMS Stock enters a Limit State, the Processor shall cease calculating and disseminating updated Reference Prices and Price Bands for the NMS Stock until either trading exits the Limit State or trading resumes with an opening or re-opening as provided in Section V of the proposed Plan.

    Back to Citation

    13.  See Section I(D) of the proposed Plan.

    Back to Citation

    14.  See Section I(O) of the proposed Plan.

    Back to Citation

    15.  The limit up-limit down mechanism set forth in the proposed Plan would replace the existing single-stock circuit breaker pilot, described more fully in Section II, Solicitation of Comments. See e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 62251 (June 10, 2010), 75 FR 34183 (June 16, 2010) (SR-FINRA-2010-025); 62883 (September 10, 2010), 75 FR 56608 (September 16, 2010) (SR-FINRA-2010-033).

    Back to Citation

    17.  See Section I(J) of the proposed Plan.

    Back to Citation

    19.  See e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 62251 (June 10, 2010), 75 FR 34183 (June 16, 2010) (SR-FINRA-2010-025); 62883 (September 10, 2010), 75 FR 56608 (September 16, 2010) (SR-FINRA-2010-033).

    Back to Citation

    20.  See e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64174 (April 4, 2011), 76 FR 19819 (April 8, 2011) (SR-NASDAQ-2011-042).

    Back to Citation

    [FR Doc. 2011-13472 Filed 5-31-11; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

Document Information

Comments Received:
0 Comments
Published:
06/01/2011
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
2011-13472
Pages:
31647-31659 (13 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release No. 34-64547, File No. 4-631
EOCitation:
of 2011-05-25
PDF File:
2011-13472.pdf