2013-06251. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Option Contracts Overlying 10 Shares of Certain Securities

March 13, 2013.

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 March 5, 2013, NYSE MKT LLC (“NYSE MKT” or “Exchange”) 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 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 list and trade option contracts overlying 10 shares of a security (“mini-options contracts”). 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 Exchange is proposing to list and trade option contracts overlying 10 shares of a security (“mini-options contracts”) and implement rule text necessary to integrate mini-options contracts with contracts overlying 100 shares (“standard contracts”) of the same security. Whereas standard contracts represent a deliverable of 100 shares of an underlying security, mini-options contracts would represent a deliverable of 10 shares. The Exchange proposes to initially list and trade mini-options contracts overlying five high priced securities for which the standard contract overlying the same security exhibits significant liquidity.^[3] The Exchange believes that investors would benefit from the availability of mini-options contracts by making options overlying high priced securities more readily available as an investing tool and at more affordable and realistic prices, most notably for the average retail investor.

For example, with Apple Inc. (“AAPL”) trading at $605.85 on March 21, 2012, ($60,585 for 100 shares underlying a standard contract), the 605 level call expiring on March 23 was trading at $7.65. The cost of the standard contract overlying 100 shares would be $765, which is [sic] substantially higher in notional terms than the average equity option price of $250.89.^[4] Proportionately equivalent mini-options contracts on AAPL would provide investors with the ability to manage and hedge their portfolio risk on their underlying investment, at a price of $76.50 per contract. In addition, investors who hold a position in AAPL at less than the round lot size would still be able to avail themselves of options to manage their portfolio risk. For example, the holder of 50 shares of AAPL could write covered calls for five mini-options contracts. The table below demonstrates the proposed differences between a mini-options contract and a standard contract with a strike price of $125 per share and a bid or offer of $3.20 per share:

	Standard	Mini
Share Deliverable Upon Exercise	100 shares	10 shares.
Strike Price	125	125.
Bid/Offer	3.20	3.20.
Premium Multiplier	$100	$10.
Total Value of Deliverable	$12,500	$1,250.
Total Value of Contract	$320	$32.

The Exchange currently lists and trades standardized option contracts on a number of equities and Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) each with a unit of trading of 100 shares. Except for the difference in the number of deliverable shares, the proposed mini-options contracts would have the same terms and contract characteristics as regular-sized equity and ETF options, including exercise style. All existing rules applicable to options on equities and ETFs would apply to mini-options contracts, except with respect to position and exercise limits and hedge exemptions to those position limits, which would be tailored for the smaller size. Pursuant to proposed amendments to Rule 904, position limits applicable to a regular-sized option contract would also apply to the mini-options contracts on the same underlying security, with 10 mini-options contracts counting as one regular-sized contract. Positions in both the regular-sized option contract and mini-options contracts on the same security will be combined for purposes of calculating positions.

Also, of note, the Commission has approved an earlier proposal of the Exchange to list and trade option contracts overlying a number of shares other than 100.^[5] Moreover, the concept of listing and trading parallel options products of reduced values and sizes on the same underlying security is not novel. For example, parallel product pairs on a full-value and reduced-value basis are currently listed on the S&P 500 Index (“SPX” and “XSP,” respectively), the Nasdaq 100 Index (“NDX” and “MNX,” respectively) and the Russell 2000 Index (“RUT” and “RMN,” respectively).

The Exchange believes that the proposal to list and trade mini-options contracts will not lead to investor confusion. There are two important distinctions between mini options and standard options that are designed to ease the likelihood of any investor confusion. First, the premium multiplier for the proposed mini-options contracts will be 10, rather than 100, to reflect the smaller unit of trading. To reflect this change, the Exchange proposes to add Rule 959NY(c) which notes that bids and offers for an option contract overlying 10 shares will be expressed in terms of dollars per 1/10th part of the total value of the contract. Thus, an offer of “.50” shall represent an offer of $5.00 on an options contract having a unit of trading consisting of 10 shares. Additionally, the Exchange intends to designate mini-options contracts with different trading symbols than those designated for regular-sized contracts.^[6] Moreover, the Exchange believes that the terms of mini-options contracts are consistent with the terms of the Options Disclosure Document.

The Exchange recognizes the need to differentiate mini-options contracts from standard options and therefore is proposing the following changes to its rules.

The Exchange proposes to add Commentary .01 to Rule 901 (Option Contracts to Be Traded) to reflect that, in addition to option contracts with a unit of trading of 100 shares, the Exchange may list option contracts overlying 10 shares of SPDR S&P 500 (SPY), Apple, Inc. (AAPL), SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), Google Inc. (GOOG), and Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) for all expirations applicable to 100 share options on each underlying security. The Exchange believes that these five securities are appropriate because they are high priced securities for which there is already significant options liquidity and therefore significant customer demand.

The Exchange also proposes to add Commentary .15 to Rule 903 (Series of Options Open for Trading) to list series of mini-options provided that the underlying security has been designated as eligible under Rule 901, Commentary .01. Also, the Exchange proposes to not permit the listing of additional series of mini-options contracts if the underlying is trading at $90 or less to limit the number of strikes once the underlying is no longer a high priced security. The Exchange proposes a $90.01 minimum for continued qualification so that additional mini-options strikes may be added even though the underlying has fallen slightly below the initial qualification standard. In addition, the underlying security must be trading above $90 for five consecutive days before the listing of mini-options contracts in a new expiration month. This restriction will allow the Exchange to list mini-options strikes without disruption when a new expiration month is added even if the underlying has had a minor decline in price.

The Exchange also proposes to add Commentary .14 to Rule 904 (Position Limits) to reflect that, for purposes of compliance with the Position Limits of Rules [sic] 904, ten mini-options contracts will equal one standard contract overlying 100 shares.

The Exchange also proposes to add subsection (c) to Rule 959NY (Meaning of Premium Bids and Offers) to extend the explanation of bids and offers with respect to mini-options contracts and also remove references to Exchange-Traded Fund Shares, because other types of underlying securities have options traded on them.

Mini-options with non-standard expiration dates (e.g., weekly series, quarterly option series and LEAPs) will be permitted under this proposal and in accordance with relevant Exchange rules. The Exchange may list mini-options on SPY, AAPL, GLD, GOOG and AMZN for all expirations applicable to 100-share options on the same underlying.^[7]

The Exchange's rules that apply to the trading of standard options would apply to mini-options and the Exchange's market maker quoting obligations would apply to mini-options.^[8] Intermarket trade-through protection would apply to mini-options; however, price protection would not apply across standard and mini-options on an intramarket basis.^[9]

With regard to the impact of this proposal on system capacity, the Exchange has analyzed its capacity and represents that it and the Options Price Reporting Authority have the necessary systems capacity to handle the potential additional traffic associated with the listing and trading of mini-options contracts. The Exchange has further discussed the proposed listing and trading of mini-options contracts with the OCC, which has represented that it is able to accommodate the proposal.^[10]

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)^[11] of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”), in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),^[12] in particular, because it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts, to remove impediments to and to perfect the mechanism for a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Specifically, the Exchange believes that investors would benefit from the availability of mini-options contracts by making options on high priced securities more readily available as an investing tool and at more affordable and realistic prices, most notably for the average retail investor. As described above, the proposal contains a number of features designed to protect investors by reducing investor confusion, such as the mini-options contracts being designated by different trading symbols from their related standard contracts.^[13] Moreover, the proposal is designed to protect investors and the public interest by providing investors with an enhanced tool to reduce risk in high priced securities. In particular, the proposed contracts will provide retail customers who invest in high priced issues in lots of less than 100 shares with a means of protecting their investments that is presently only available to those who have positions of 100 shares or more. Further, the proposal currently is limited to five high priced securities for which there is already significant options liquidity, and therefore significant customer demand and trading volume.

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

This proposed rule change does not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. In this regard and as indicated below, the Exchange notes that the rule change is being proposed as a competitive response to recently approved rule amendments by other options exchanges. The Exchange believes this proposed rule change is necessary to permit fair competition among the options exchanges.

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule change: (1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) by its terms does not become operative for 30 days after the date of this filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act ^[14] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.^[15]

A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange requests that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay so that it can list and trade the proposed mini-options contracts as soon as it is able.^[16] The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest.^[17] The Commission notes the proposal is substantively identical to proposals that were recently approved by the Commission, and does not raise any new regulatory issues.^[18] For these reasons, the Commission designates the proposed rule change as operative upon filing.

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.

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-2013-23 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-NYSEMKT-2013-23. 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-NYSEMKT-2013-23 and should be submitted on or before April 9, 2013.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.¹⁹

Kevin M. O'Neill,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  The Exchange proposes that mini-options contracts would be listed in only five issues, specifically SPDR S&P 500 (SPY), Apple, Inc. (AAPL), SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), Google Inc. (GOOG), and Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN). These issues were selected because they are priced greater than $100 and are among the most actively traded issues, in that the standard contract exhibits average daily volume (“ADV”) over the previous three calendar months of at least 45,000 contracts, excluding LEAPS and FLEX series. The Exchange notes that any expansion of the program would require that a subsequent proposed rule change be submitted with the Commission.

4.  A high priced underlying security may have relatively expensive options, because a low percentage move in the share price may mean a large movement in the options in terms of absolute dollars. Average non-FLEX equity option premium per contract January 1-December 31, 2011. See http://www.theocc.com/​webapps/​monthly-volume-reports?​reportClass=​equity.

5.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 40157 (July 1, 1998), 63 FR 37426 (July 10, 1998) (SR-Amex-96-44).

6.  OCC Symbology is structured for contracts with other than 100 shares to be designated with a numerical suffix to the standard trading symbol, i.e., AAPL8.

7.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67948 (September 28, 2012) 77 FR 60735 at 60737 (October 4, 2012) (Notice of Filing of Amendments No. 1 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Changes as Modified by Amendments No. 1 to List and Trade Option Contracts Overlying 10 Shares of Certain Securities) (SR-NYSEArca-2012-64 and SR-ISE-2012-58).

8.  See 77 FR at 60738.

9.  See 77 FR at 60738.

10.  The Exchange notes that the current schedule of Fees will not apply to the trading of mini-options contracts. The Exchange will not commence trading of mini-option contracts until specific fees for mini-options contracts trading have been filed with the Commission.

11.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

12.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

13.  See supra note 8 [sic].

14.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

15.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-regulatory organization to provide the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and text of 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 fulfilled this requirement.

16.  The Commission notes that the Exchange's current schedule of fees will not apply to the trading of mini-options contracts, and the Exchange will not commence trading of mini-options contracts until specific fees for mini-options contracts trading have been filed with the Commission.

17.  For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

18.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67948 (September 28, 2012), 77 FR 60735 (October 4, 2012) (SR-NYSEArca-2012-64 and SR-ISE-2012-58).

19.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).