2018-27004. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Granting an Extension to Limited Exemptions From Rule 612(c) of Regulation NMS In Connection With the Exchange's Retail Liquidity Programs Until June 30, 2019

December 10, 2018.

On December 23, 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) issued an order pursuant to its authority under Rule 612(c) of Regulation NMS (“Sub-Penny Rule”) ^[1] that granted NYSE Arca, Inc. (“Exchange”) a limited exemption from the Sub-Penny Rule in connection with the operation of the Exchange's Retail Liquidity Program (“Program”).^[2] The limited exemption was granted concurrently with the Commission's approval of the Exchange's proposal to adopt its Program for a one-year pilot term.^[3] The exemption was granted coterminous with the effectiveness of the pilot Program; both the pilot Program and exemption are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2018.^[4]

The Exchange now seeks to extend the exemptions until June 30, 2019.^[5] The Exchange's request was made in conjunction with an immediately effective filing that extends the operation of the Program through the same date.^[6] In its request to extend the exemption, the Exchange notes that the participation in the Program has increased more recently with additional Retail Liquidity Providers. Accordingly, the Exchange has asked for additional time to both allow for additional opportunities for greater participation in the Program and allow for further assessment of the results of such participation. For this reason and the reasons stated in the Order originally granting the limited exemptions, the Commission finds that extending the exemption, pursuant to its authority under Rule 612(c) of Regulation NMS, is appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors.

Therefore, it is hereby ordered that, pursuant to Rule 612(c) of Regulation NMS, the Exchange is granted a limited exemption from Rule 612 of Regulation NMS that allows it to accept and rank orders priced equal to or greater than $1.00 per share in increments of $0.001, in connection with the operation of its Retail Liquidity Program, until June 30, 2019.

The limited and temporary exemption extended by this Order is subject to modification or revocation if at any time the Commission determines that such action is necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Responsibility for compliance with any applicable provisions of the Federal securities laws must rest with the persons relying on the exemptions that are the subject of this Order.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.^[7]

Eduardo A. Aleman,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  17 CFR 242.612(c).

2.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71176 (December 23, 2013), 78 FR 79524 (December 30, 2013) (SR-NYSEArca-2013-107) (“Order”).

3.  See id.

4.  On March 19, 2015, the Exchange requested an extension of the exemption for the Program. See letter from Martha Redding, Senior Counsel and Assistant Secretary, to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated March 19, 2015. The pilot period for the Program was extended until September 30, 2015. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74572 (Mar. 24, 2015), 80 FR 16705 (Mar. 30, 2015) (SR-NYSEArca-2015-22). On September 17, 2015, the Exchange requested another extension of the exemption for the Program. See letter from Martha Redding, Senior Counsel and Assistant Secretary, to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated September 17, 2015. The pilot period for the Program was extended until March 31, 2016. See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 75994 (Sept. 28, 2015), 80 FR 59834 (Oct. 2, 2015) (SR-NYSEArca-2015-84) and 77236 (Feb. 25, 2016), 81 FR 10943 (Mar. 2, 2016) (SR-NYSEArca-2016-30). On March 17, 2016, the Exchange requested another extension of the exemption for the Program. See letter from Martha Redding, Senior Counsel and Assistant Secretary, to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated March 17, 2016. The pilot period for the Program was extended until August 31, 2016. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77425 (Mar. 23, 2016), 81 FR 17523 (Mar. 29, 2016) (SR-NYSEArca-2016-47). On August 8, 2016, the Exchange requested another extension of the exemption for the Program. See Letter from Martha Redding, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated August 8, 2016. The pilot period for the Program was extended until December 31, 2016. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78601 (Aug. 17, 2016), 81 FR 57632 (Aug. 23, 2016) (SR-NYSEArca-2016-113). On November 28, 2016, the Exchange requested another extension of the exemption for the program. See Letter from Martha Redding, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated November 28, 2016. The pilot period for the Program was extended until June 30, 2017. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79495 (Dec. 7, 2016), 81 FR 90033 (Dec. 13, 2016) (SR-NYSEArca-2016-157). On May 23, 2017, the Exchange requested another extension of the exemption for the program. See Letter from Martha Redding, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated May 23, 2017. The pilot period for the Program was extended until December 31, 2017. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80851 (June 2, 2017), 82 FR 26722 (June 8, 2017) (SR-NYSEArca-2017-63). On November 30, 2017, the Exchange requested another extension of the exemption to the program. See Letter from Martha Redding, Assistant Secretary, NYSE, to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated November 30, 2017. The pilot period for the Program was extended until June 30, 2018. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82289 (December 11, 2017), 82 FR 59677 (December 15, 2017) (SR-NYSEArca-2017-137). On June 14, 2018, the Exchange requested another extension of the exemption for the Program. See Letter from Martha Redding, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, NYSE to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated June 14, 2018. The pilot period for the Program was extended until December 31, 2018. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83538 (June 28, 2018), 83 FR 31210 (July 3, 2018) (SR-NYSE-2018-46).

5.  See Letter from Martha Redding, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, NYSE to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated November 30, 2018.

6.  See SR-NYSEArca-2018-89.

7.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(83).