2015-27223. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Modifying the NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule

October 21, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) ^[1] of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) ^[2] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[3] notice is hereby given that, on October 15, 2015, NYSE MKT LLC (the “Exchange” or “NYSE MKT”) 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 self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of the Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to modify the NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule. The Exchange proposes to implement the fee change effective October 15, 2015. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at www.nyse.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 self-regulatory organization 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 those 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 parts of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The purpose of this filing is to change the Section I.C.—NYSE Amex Options Market Maker Sliding Scale—Electronic (“Market Maker Sliding Scale”) to reduce the per contract rate for each tier by $0.03 if volume from posted liquidity exceeds a threshold, effective on October 15, 2015.

Section I.C. of the Fee Schedule currently provides a discount to NYSE Amex Options Market Maker transaction fees based on a sliding volume scale.^[4] Specifically, an NYSE Amex Options Market Maker that has monthly volume on the Exchange of less than or equal to 0.10% of total industry Customer equity and exchange traded fund (“ETF”) options volume ^[5] is charged a base rate of $0.23. An NYSE Amex Options Market Maker that reaches higher volume thresholds, or Tiers, receives a reduction of this per contract rate.^[6]

The Exchange is proposing to offer Market Makers the ability to reduce the per contract rate charged per Tier of the Market Maker Sliding Scale—Electronic by $0.03. Specifically, a Market Maker would receive the additional $0.03 discount if its monthly volume includes contracts traded as a result of posted trading interest that is in excess of 0.85% of Industry Customer Equity and ETF Option Volume.^[7] Accordingly, if a Market Maker meets this additional threshold, the following per contract rates would apply: Tier 1—$0.20; Tier 2—$0.17; Tier 3—$0.07; Tier 4—$0.05; Tier 5—$0.02; Tier 6—$0.00; and for each contract qualifying for Tier 7 the Market Maker will receive a $0.01 credit.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,^[8] in general, and furthers the objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and (5) of the Act,^[9] in particular, because it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members, issuers and other persons using its facilities and does not unfairly discriminate between customers, issuers, brokers or dealers.

The Exchange believes that the proposal to offer an additional rebate to Market Makers eligible for the Sliding Scale is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because it would incentivize Market Makers to increase posted liquidity on the Exchange, which would benefit all Exchange participants, including ATP Holders, through increased opportunities to trade as well as enhancing price discovery. In addition, the proposed changes are equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because the credits offered would be based on the amount of business transacted on the Exchange.

For these reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the Act.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

In accordance with Section 6(b)(8) of the Act,^[10] the Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange believes the proposed amendments to the Marker Maker Sliding Scale is pro-competitive as the credits may incentivize Market Makers to increase posted liquidity on the Exchange and any resulting increase in volume and liquidity to the Exchange would benefit all of Exchange participants through increased opportunities to trade as well as enhancing price discovery.

The Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually review, and consider adjusting, its fees and credits to remain competitive with other exchanges. For the reasons described above, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change reflects this competitive environment.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action

The foregoing rule change is effective upon filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) ^[11] of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 ^[12] thereunder, because it establishes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange.

At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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 under Section 19(b)(2)(B) ^[13] of the Act to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved.

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 [e-mail]. Please include File Number SR-NYSEMKT-2015-79 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEMKT-2015-79. 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 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-NYSEMKT-2015-79, and should be submitted on or before November 17, 2015.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.¹⁴

Brent J. Fields,

Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  15 U.S.C. 78a.

3.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

4.  See Fee Schedule, Section I.C.(NYSE Amex Options Market Maker Sliding Scale—Electronic), available here, https://www.theice.com/​publicdocs/​nyse/​markets/​amex-options/​NYSE_​Amex_​Options_​Fee_​Schedule.pdf.

5.  The volume thresholds are based on an NYSE Amex Options Market Makers' volume transacted Electronically as a percentage of total industry Customer equity and ETF options volumes as reported by the Options Clearing Corporation (the “OCC”). Total industry Customer equity and ETF option volume is comprised of those equity and ETF contracts that clear in the Customer account type at OCC and does not include contracts that clear in either the Firm or Market Maker account type at OCC or contracts overlying a security other than an equity or ETF security. See OCC Monthly Statistics Reports, available here, http://www.theocc.com/​webapps/​monthly-volume-reports.

6.  In calculating an NYSE Amex Options Market Maker Electronic volumes, the Exchange proposes to exclude any volumes attributable to Mini Options, QCC trades, CUBE Auctions, and Strategy Execution Fee Caps, as these transactions are subject to separate pricing described in proposed [sic] Fee Schedule Sections I.B., I.F., I.G., and I.J, respectively.

7.  The same exclusions apply to posted volumes as set forth supra n. 6.

8.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

9.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).

10.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).

11.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

12.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

13.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).

14.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).