2013-12038. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the Listing Standards for Equity Index-Linked Securities in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)

May 15, 2013.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) ^[1] of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) ^[2] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[3] notice is hereby given that, on May 8, 2013, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange” or “NYSE Arca”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “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 the Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to amend the listing standards for Equity Index-Linked Securities in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6). 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 proposes to amend the listing standards for Equity Index-Linked Securities in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6).

Currently, NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(6)(B)(I)(1) provides that the Exchange will consider listing Equity Index-Linked Securities if the payment at maturity or earlier redemption is based on an index or indexes of equity securities, securities of closed-end management investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or investment company units. The issue must meet certain initial listing criteria including, among other criteria, that each underlying index have at least ten component securities of different issuers.

The Exchange proposes to amend the initial listing criteria to eliminate the requirement that the ten component securities be of different issuers. The Exchange believes that the current requirement is unnecessarily restrictive. At least one other exchange does not impose such a requirement in its listing standards for Equity Index-Linked Securities.^[4]

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) ^[5] of the Act, in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),^[6] in particular, in that it 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 facilitating transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms 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 proposed rule change would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and a national market system because it would provide greater flexibility to issuers to list Equity Index-Linked Securities with a wider variety of component securities that may meet the investment objectives of investors. Offering such products enhance competition, which may benefit of investors and the marketplace. Furthermore, the Exchange's listing requirements as proposed herein are at least as stringent as those of another national securities exchange and, consequently, the proposed rule change is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest.^[7]

Additionally, the proposal is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, as Equity Index-Linked Securities are subject to existing trading rules, together with specific requirements for market participants, books and record production, surveillance procedures, and requisite Exchange approvals.

Lastly, the proposal is designed to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system by adopting listing standards that would permit the trading of additional Equity Index-Linked Securities on the Exchange that are already currently traded on at least one other exchange.

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 notes that while the current variance in the listing standards among exchanges limits competition, the proposal would allow the listing of additional Equity Index-Linked Securities on the Exchange, thereby promoting increased competition across markets and liquidity on the Exchange.

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 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 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 ^[8] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.^[9]

The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, as it will allow the Exchange to immediately harmonize its listing requirements with other national securities exchanges enabling the Exchange to compete for listings of products on the same basis as other national securities exchanges. For this reason, the Commission waives the operative delay and designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing.^[10]

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-NYSEArca-2013-50 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-NYSEArca-2013-50. 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 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal offices 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-NYSEArca-2013-50, and should be submitted on or before June 11, 2013.

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.  15 U.S.C. 78a.

3.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

4.  See NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) Rule 5710(k)(i)(A).

5.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

6.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

7.  See supra n.4.

8.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

9.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii). As required under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and the 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.

10.  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).

11.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).