2023-09080. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE American LLC; Notice of Filing of Proposed Change To Amend Rule 915 (Criteria for Underlying Securities) To Accelerate the Listing of Options on Certain IPOs

April 25, 2023

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) ^[1] of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) ^[2] and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,^[3] notice is hereby given that, on April 21, 2023, NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American” or the “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“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 Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 915 (Criteria for Underlying Securities). The proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's website 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 the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend Rule 915 (Criteria for Underlying Securities) (the “Rule”) as set forth below. Following discussions with other exchanges and a cross-section of industry participants and in coordination with the Listed Options Market Structure Working Group (“LOMSWG”) (collectively, the “Industry Working Group”), the Exchange proposes to modify the standard set forth in the Rule for the listing and trading of options on “covered securities” to reduce the time to market.

Commentary .01(4)(a) to Rule 915 sets forth the guidelines to be considered in evaluating for option transactions underlying securities that are “covered securities,” as defined in Section 18(b)(1)(A) of the Securities Act of 1933 (hereinafter “covered security” or “covered securities”).^[4] Currently, the Exchange permits the listing of an option on an underlying covered security that, amongst other things, has a market price of at least $3.00 per share for the previous three consecutive business days preceding the date on which the Exchange submits a certificate to The Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”) to list and trade options on the underlying security (the “three-day lookback period”).^[5] Under the current rule, if an initial public offering (“IPO”) occurs on a Monday, the earliest date the Exchange could submit its listing certificate to OCC would be on Thursday, with the market price determined by the closing price over the three-day lookback period from Monday through Wednesday. The option on the IPO'd security would then be eligible for trading on the Exchange on Friday ( i.e., within four business days of the IPO inclusive of the day the listing certificate is submitted to OCC).^[6]

The Exchange notes that the three-day look back period helps ensure that options on underlying securities may be listed and traded in a timely manner while also allowing time for OCC to accommodate the certification request. However, there are certain large IPOs that issue high-priced securities—well above the $3.00 per share threshold—that would obviate the need for the three-day lookback period. In this regard, the Industry Working Group has recently identified proposed changes to Commentary .01(4)(a) to Rule 915 that would help options on covered securities that have a market capitalization of at least $3 billion based upon the offering price of its IPO come to market earlier. The proposed change, which is intended to be harmonized across options exchanges, is designed to provide investors the opportunity to hedge their interest in IPO investments in a shorter amount of time than what is currently permitted.^[7] The Exchange believes that options serve a valuable tool to the trading community and help markets function efficiently by mitigating risk. To that end, the Exchange believes that the absence of options in the early days after an IPO may heighten volatility in the trading of IPO'd securities.

Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to modify Rule 915 to waive the three-day lookback period for covered securities that have a market capitalization of at least $3 billion based upon the offering price of the IPO of such securities and to allow options on such securities to be listed and traded starting on or after the second business day following the initial public offering day ( i.e., not inclusive of the day of the IPO).^[8] The Exchange has reviewed trading data for IPO'd securities dating back to 2017 and is unaware of any such security that achieved a market capitalization of $3 billion based upon the offering price of its IPO that would not have also qualified for listing options based on the three-day lookback requirement. Specifically, the Exchange has determined that 202 of the 1,179 IPOs that took place between January 1, 2017, and October 21, 2022, met the $3 billion market capitalization/IPO offering price threshold. Options on all 202 of those IPO shares subsequently satisfied the three-day lookback requirement for listing and trading, i.e., none of these large IPOs closed below the $3.00/share threshold during its first three days of its trading. As such, the Exchange believes the proposed capitalization threshold of $3 billion based upon the offering price of its IPO is appropriate.

Under the proposed rule, if an IPO for a company with a market capitalization of $3 billion based upon the offering price of its IPO occurs on a Monday, the Exchange could submit its listing certificate to OCC (to list and trade options on the IPO'd security) as soon as all the other requirements for listing are satisfied. If, on Tuesday, all requirements are deemed satisfied, the IPO'd security could then be eligible for trading on the Exchange on Wednesday ( i.e., starting on or after the second business day following the IPO day). Thus, the proposal could potentially accelerate the listing of options on IPO'd securities by two days.

The Exchange believes the proposed change would allow options on IPO'd securities to come to market sooner without sacrificing investor protection. The Exchange represents that trading in IPO'd securities—like all other securities traded on the Exchange—is subject to surveillances administered by the Exchange and to cross-market surveillances administered by FINRA on behalf of the Exchange. Those surveillances are designed to detect violations of Exchange rules and applicable federal securities laws.^[9] The Exchange represents that those surveillances are adequate to reasonably monitor Exchange trading of IPO'd securities in all trading sessions and to reasonably deter and detect violations of Exchange rules and federal securities laws applicable to trading on the Exchange.^[10] As such, the Exchange believes that its existing surveillance technologies and procedures, coupled with its findings related to the IPOs reviewed as described herein, adequately address potential concerns regarding possible manipulation or price stability.

Implementation Date

The proposed rule change will become operative within six months following the approval of the proposed Rule change to coincide with implementation on other options exchanges. The Exchange will announce the effective date of the proposed change by Trader Update distributed to all ATP Holders.^[11]

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.^[12] Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) ^[13] requirements that the rules of an exchange be 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.

In particular, the Exchange believes the proposed change would facilitate options transactions and would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, which would, in turn, protect investors and the public interest by providing an avenue for options on IPO'd securities to come to market earlier. The Exchange notes that the three-day look back period helps ensure that options on underlying securities may be listed and traded in a timely manner while also allowing time for OCC to accommodate the certification request. However, there are certain large IPOs that issue high-priced securities—well above the $3.00 per share threshold—that would obviate the need for the three-day lookback period. As noted above, the Exchange has reviewed trading data for IPO'd securities dating back to 2017 and is unaware of an IPO'd security with a market capitalization of $3 billion or more (based upon the offering price of its IPO) that subsequently would have failed to qualify for listing and trading as options under the three-day lookback requirement. The Exchange believes that the proposed amendment, which would be harmonized across options exchanges, would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system by providing an avenue for investors to hedge their interest in IPO investments in a shorter amount of time than what is currently permitted. The Exchange believes that options serve a valuable tool to the trading community and help markets function efficiently by mitigating risk. To that end, the Exchange believes that the absence of options in the early days after an IPO may heighten volatility to IPO'd securities.^[14]

Further, as noted herein, the Exchange believes the proposed change would allow options on IPO'd securities to come to market sooner ( i.e., at least two business days post-IPO not inclusive of the day of the IPO) without sacrificing investor protection. The Exchange represents that trading in IPO'd securities—like all other securities traded on the Exchange—is subject to surveillances administered by the Exchange and to cross-market surveillances administered by FINRA on behalf of the Exchange. Those surveillances are designed to detect violations of Exchange rules and applicable federal securities laws.^[15] The Exchange represents that those surveillances are adequate to reasonably monitor Exchange trading of IPO'd securities in all trading sessions and to reasonably deter and detect violations of Exchange rules and federal securities laws applicable to trading on the Exchange, including wrongful efforts to manipulate the prices of those securities in order to bring them in compliance with the $3.00/share threshold for the listing of options. As such, the Exchange believes that its existing surveillance technologies and procedures, coupled with its findings related to the IPOs reviewed as described herein, would adequately address potential concerns regarding possible manipulation or price stability.

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.

The Exchange anticipates that the other options exchanges will adopt substantively similar proposals, such that there would be no burden on intermarket competition from the Exchange's proposal. Accordingly, the proposed change is not meant to affect competition among the options exchanges. For these reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change reflects this competitive environment and does not impose any undue burden on intermarket competition.

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

Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or within such longer period up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:

(A) by order approve or disapprove the proposed rule change, or

(B) institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be 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 ( https://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml); or

• Send an email to [e-mail]. Please include File Number SR–NYSEAMER–2023–27 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–NYSEAMER–2023–27. 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 website ( https://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 website 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. Do not include personal identifiable information in submissions; you should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. We may redact in part or withhold entirely from publication submitted material that is obscene or subject to copyright protection. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NYSEAMER–2023–27 and should be submitted on or before May 22, 2023.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.^[16]

Sherry R. Haywood,

Assistant Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  15 U.S.C. 78a.

3.  17 CFR 240.19b–4.

4.  Rule 915(a) requires that, for underlying securities to be eligible for option transactions, such securities must be duly registered and be an “NMS stock” as defined in Rule 600 of Regulation NMS under the Act and will be characterized by a substantial number of outstanding shares which are widely held and actively traded. See Rule 915(a)(1) and (2).

5.   See Commentary .01(4)(a) to Rule 915. The Exchange is not proposing to make any changes to the guidelines for listing securities that are not a “covered security.” See Commentary .01(4)(b) to Rule 915.

6.   See proposed Commentary .01(4)(a)(ii) to Rule 915. The Exchange proposes a non-substantive change to number the existing and proposed criteria for covered securities as (i) and (ii) of paragraph (4)(a). See proposed Commentary .01(4)(a)(i) to Rule 915.

7.  While the Exchange acknowledges that market participants may utilize options for speculative purposes (in addition to as a hedging tool), the Exchange believes (as set forth below) that its existing surveillance technologies and procedures adequately address potential violations of exchange rules and federal securities laws applicable to trading on the Exchange.

8.  The Exchange acknowledges that the Options Listing Procedures Plan (or “OLPP”) requires that the listing certificate be provided to OCC no earlier than 12:01 a.m. and no later than 11 a.m. (Chicago time) on the trading day prior to the day on which trading is to begin. See the OLPP, at p. 3, available here: https://ncuoccblobdev.blob.core.windows.net/​media/​theocc/​media/​clearing-services/​services/​options_​listing_​procedures_​plan.pdf. The OLPP is a national market system plan that, among other things, sets forth procedures governing the listing of new options series.

9.  FINRA conducts cross-market surveillances on behalf of the Exchange pursuant to a regulatory services agreement. The Exchange is responsible for FINRA's performance under this regulatory services agreement.

10.   See supra note 7.

11.  An “ATP Holder” refers to a natural person, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other organization, in good standing that has been issued an ATP. See Rule 900.2NY. An “ATP” is an American Trading Permit issued by the Exchange for effecting approved securities transactions on the Exchange. See id.

12.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

13.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

14.   See supra note 7.

15.  FINRA conducts cross-market surveillances on behalf of the Exchange pursuant to a regulatory services agreement. The Exchange is responsible for FINRA's performance under this regulatory services agreement.

16.  17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).