2014-27844. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Clarify Rule 7018(a) with Respect to Execution and Routing of Orders in Securities Priced at $1 or More Per Share

November 19, 2014.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”),^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] notice is hereby given that on November 12, 2014, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (“BX” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “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.

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

The Exchange proposes to make minor clarifying changes to Rule 7018(a) with respect to execution and routing of orders in securities priced at $1 or more per share.

The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at http://nasdaqomxbx.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 purpose of the proposed rule change is to make minor clarifying changes concerning the use and definition of the term “Consolidated Volume” provided in Rule 7018(a). Consolidated Volume is currently defined as the total consolidated volume reported to all consolidated transaction reporting plans by all exchanges and trade reporting facilities during a month, excluding executed orders with a size of less than one round lot.^[3] Consolidated Volume is used as a measure in determining member firm liability for certain charges, and eligibility for certain credits, for participation in BX. The Exchange compares a member firm's equity transactions in BX to Consolidated Volume to determine how impactful its particular order activity in BX is in relation to overall equity market volume. The definition of Consolidated Volume is currently provided under the QMM Tier 1 eligibility requirements of Rule 7018(a), although the term is used in preceding portions of the rule. In an effort to make the rule clearer, the Exchange is proposing to move the definition of Consolidated Volume to the beginning of Rule 7018(a). The Exchange is also capitalizing the term in certain fees and credits, which currently precede the definition of Consolidated Volume under the rule, to make clear that they reference the defined term. Lastly, the Exchange is proposing to delete duplicative language from Rule 7018(a)(2) under the QMM Tier 1 eligibility requirements that concerns the exclusion of the day of the annual Russell Investments Indexes. The Exchange notes that the language is included in the definition of Consolidated Volume and is therefore redundant.

The Exchange is also proposing to clarify the definition of Consolidated Volume. The current definition of Consolidated Volume does not expressly state that it encompasses transactions in equity securities only. As noted above, Consolidated Volume is used to determine how impactful a member firm's order activity in BX is in relation to overall equity market volume, thus allowing the Exchange to consider the member firm's contribution to BX as compared to what market participants provide to the larger equity markets. The Exchange believes that adding language to make clear that the Consolidated Volume includes only equities volume will serve to avoid possible misinterpretation that the rule may include volume outside of the equities markets. Accordingly, the Exchange is proposing to add language to the definition of Consolidated Volume under Rule 7018(a) to clarify that it applies only to equity securities.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6 of the Act,^[4] in general, and furthers the objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,^[5] in 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 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; and are not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. Specifically, the proposed changes further these objectives because they make the rule more clear, thereby helping avoid potential investor confusion on how the credits and charges that use the definition are applied. The Exchange notes that it is not changing how the rule is applied in any way, and therefore the fees and credits thereunder continue to be reasonable and equitably allocated among member firms.

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

The Exchange 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. Specifically, the proposed changes do not alter the meaning or application of the fees and credits provided under Rule 7018(a), and therefore do not affect competition in any respect.

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

Because the foregoing 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 for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act ^[6] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) ^[7] thereunder.

A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally may not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) ^[8] permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay period to allow the Exchange to immediately implement changes to rule language that will serve to enhance the clarity concerning the application of fees assessed and credits provided under the rule. The Commission believes that the proposed rule change will enhance clarity and avoid possible misinterpretation of the rule. For these reasons, the Commission believes that the proposed rule change presents no novel issues and that waiver of the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Therefore, the Commission designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing.^[9]

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.^[10]

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-BX-2014-056 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BX-2014-056 . 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-BX-2014-056 and should be submitted on or before December 16, 2014.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.^[11]

Kevin M. O'Neill,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  For purposes of calculating Consolidated Volume and the extent of a member's trading activity, expressed as a percentage of or ratio to Consolidated Volume, the Exchange excludes the date of the annual reconstitution of the Russell Investments Indexes from both total Consolidated Volume and the member's trading activity.

4.  15 U.S.C. 78f.

5.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).

6.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(a)(ii).

7.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its intent to file 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.

8.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).

9.  For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

10.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C).

11.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).