2011-33579. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Amex LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Extending the Operation of Its Supplemental Liquidity Providers Pilot Under Rule 107B Until the Earlier of the ...

December 23, 2011.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) ^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] notice is hereby given that on December 16, 2011, NYSE Amex LLC (the “Exchange” or “NYSE Amex”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II 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 Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to extend the operation of its Supplemental Liquidity Providers Pilot (“SLP Pilot” or “Pilot”) (See Rule 107B—NYSE Amex Equities), currently scheduled to expire on January 31, 2012, until the earlier of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (“SEC” or “Commission”) approval to make such Pilot permanent or July 31, 2012. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and www.nyse.com.

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 Exchange proposes to extend the operation of its Supplemental Liquidity Providers Pilot,^[3] currently scheduled to expire on January 31, 2012, until the earlier of Commission approval to make such Pilot permanent or July 31, 2012.

Background ^[4]

In October 2008, the New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE”) implemented significant changes to its market rules, execution technology and the rights and obligations of its market participants all of which were designed to improve execution quality on the NYSE. These changes were all elements of the NYSE's and the Exchange's enhanced market model referred to as the “New Market Model” (“NMM Pilot”).^[5] The NYSE SLP Pilot was launched in coordination with the NMM Pilot (see NYSE Rule 107B).

As part of the NMM Pilot, NYSE eliminated the function of specialists on the Exchange creating a new category of market participant, the Designated Market Maker or “DMM.” ^[6] Separately, the NYSE established the SLP Pilot, which established SLPs as a new class of market participants to supplement the liquidity provided by DMMs.^[7]

The NYSE adopted NYSE Rule 107B governing SLPs as a six-month pilot program commencing in November 2008. This NYSE pilot has been extended several times, most recently to January 31, 2012.^[8] The NYSE is in the process of requesting an extension of their SLP Pilot until July 31, 2012 or until the Commission approves the pilot as permanent.^[9] The extension of the NYSE SLP Pilot until July 31, 2012 runs parallel with the extension of the NMM pilot until July 31, 2012, or until the Commission approves the NMM Pilot as permanent.

Proposal To Extend the Operation of the NYSE Amex Equities SLP Pilot

NYSE Amex Equities established the SLP Pilot to provide incentives for quoting, to enhance competition among the existing group of liquidity providers, including the DMMs, and add new competitive market participants. NYSE Amex Equities Rule 107B is based on NYSE Rule 107B. NYSE Amex Rule 107B was filed with the Commission on December 30, 2009, as a “me too” filing for immediate effectiveness as a pilot program.^[10] The NYSE Amex Equities SLP Pilot is scheduled to end operation on January 31, 2012 or such earlier time as the Commission may determine to make the rules permanent.

The Exchange believes that the SLP Pilot, in coordination with the NMM Pilot and the NYSE SLP Pilot, allows the Exchange to provide its market participants with a trading venue that utilizes an enhanced market structure to encourage the addition of liquidity, facilitate the trading of larger orders more efficiently and operates to reward aggressive liquidity providers. As such, the Exchange believes that the rules governing the SLP Pilot (NYSE Amex Equities Rule 107B) should be made permanent.

Through this filing the Exchange seeks to extend the current operation of the SLP Pilot until July 31, 2012, in order to allow the Exchange to formally submit a filing to the Commission to convert the Pilot rule to a permanent rule. The Exchange is currently preparing a rule filing seeking permission to make the NYSE Amex Equities SLP Pilot permanent, but does not expect that filing to be completed and approved by the Commission before January 31, 2012.^[11]

2. Statutory Basis

The basis under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) for this proposed rule change is the requirement under Section 6(b)(5) that an exchange have rules that are designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, 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. The Exchange believes that the instant filing is consistent with these principles because the SLP Pilot provides its market participants with a trading venue that utilizes an enhanced market structure to encourage the addition of liquidity and operates to reward aggressive liquidity providers. Moreover, the instant filing requesting an extension of the SLP Pilot will permit adequate time for: (i) The Exchange to prepare and submit a filing to make the rules governing the SLP Pilot permanent; (ii) public notice and comment; and (iii) completion of the 19b-4 approval process.

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

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

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 Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act ^[12] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.^[13] Because the 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 prior to 30 days from the date on which it was filed, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.

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.

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-NYSEAmex-2011-103 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.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEAmex-2011-103. 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 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing will also 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 publicly available. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEAmex-2011-103 and should be submitted on or before January 20, 2012.

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

Kevin M. O'Neill,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61308 (January 7, 2010), 75 FR 2573 (January 15, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2009-98) (establishing the NYSE Amex Equities SLP Pilot). See also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 61841 (April 5, 2010), 75 FR 18560 (April 12, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-33) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to September 30, 2010); 62814 (September 1, 2010), 75 FR 54671 (September 8, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-88) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to January 31, 2011); 58877 (October 29, 2008), 73 FR 65904 (November 5, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-108) (establishing the SLP Pilot); 59869 (May 6, 2009), 74 FR 22796 (May 14, 2009) (SR-NYSE-2009-46) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to October 1, 2009); 60756 (October 1, 2009), 74 FR 51628 (October 7, 2009) (SR-NYSE-2009-100) (extending the operation of the New Market Model and the SLP Pilots to November 30, 2009); 61075 (November 30, 2009), 74 FR 64112 (December 7, 2009) (SR-NYSE-2009-119) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to March 30, 2010); 61840 (April 5, 2010), 75 FR 18563 (April 12, 2010) (SR-NYSE-2010-28) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to September 30, 2010); 62813 (September 1, 2010), 75 FR 54686 (September 8, 2010) (SR-NYSE-2010-62) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to January 31, 2011); 63615 (December 29, 2010), 76 FR 611 (January 5, 2011) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-123) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to August 1, 2011); and 64772 (June 29, 2011), 76 FR 39455 (July 6, 2011) (SR-NYSEAmex-2011-44) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to January 31, 2012).

4.  The information contained herein is a summary of the NMM Pilot and the SLP Pilot. See supra note [3] and [i]nfra note [8] [sic] for a fuller description of those pilots.

5.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58845 (October 24, 2008), 73 FR 64379 (October 29, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-46).

6.  See NYSE Rule 103.

7.  See NYSE and NYSE Amex Equities Rules 107B.

8.  See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 58877 (October 29, 2008), 73 FR 65904 (November 5, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-108) (adopting SLP pilot program); 59869 (May 6, 2009), 74 FR 22796 (May 14, 2009) (SR-NYSE-2009-46) (extending SLP pilot program until October 1, 2009); 60756 (October 1, 2009), 74 FR 51628 (October 7, 2009) (SR-NYSE-2009-100) (extending SLP pilot program until November 30, 2009); 61075 (November 30, 2009), 74 FR 64112 (December 7, 2009) (SR-NYSE-2009-119) (extending SLP pilot program until March 30, 2010); 61840 (April 5, 2010), 75 FR 18563 (April 12, 2010) (SR-NYSE-2010-28) (extending the SLP Pilot until September 30, 2010); 62813 (September 1, 2010), 75 FR 54686 (September 8, 2010) (SR-NYSE-2010-62) (extending the SLP Pilot until January 31, 2011); 63616 (December 29, 2010), 76 FR 612 (January 5, 2011) (SR-NYSE-2010-86) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to August 1, 2011); and 64762 (June 28, 2011), 76 FR 39145 (July 5, 2011) (SR-NYSE-2011-30) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to January 31, 2012).

9.  See SR-NYSE-2011-66.

10.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61308 (January 7, 2010), 75 FR 2573 (January 15, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2009-98).

11.  The NMM Pilot was scheduled to expire on January 31, 2012 as well. On December 16, 2011, the NYSE filed to extend the NMM Pilot until July 31, 2012 (See SR-NYSE-2011-65) (extending the operation of the New Market Model Pilot to July 31, 2012).

12.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).

13.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

14.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).