2014-12425. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Reporting of Accounts
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Start Preamble
May 22, 2014.
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 May 12, 2014, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (“Phlx” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and III, below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Start Printed Page 30907Commission 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 1022 (“Securities Accounts and Orders of Specialists and Registered Options Traders”) to require firms to report all of the accounts for which they engage in trading activities or which they exercise investment discretion upon request, rather than on a continuing basis.
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/micro.aspx?id=PHLXRulefilings,, 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 Exchange 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 these 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 aspects 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 Rule 1022, entitled “Securities Accounts and Orders of Specialists and Registered Options Traders,” regarding the identification and filing of a list of accounts identifying all accounts in which a Specialist [3] or Registered Options Trader [4] may engage in trading activity for or over which they exercise investment discretion. This filing is similar to Chicago Board Options Exchange (“CBOE”) rule 8.9.
The Exchange is proposing to make the change in order eliminate the obligation for members or member organizations (collectively “member”) to continuously provide nonessential regulatory documentation. The Exchange would retain the ability to request the information from the member upon request when needed.
The Exchange recognizes the importance of requiring Specialists and ROTs to keep a current list of all accounts for stock, options, or related securities or physical commodities or other derivatives which they trade or over which they have discretion. The proposed rule change would require members to keep this information accessible and updated. However, it should be noted, that the Exchange does not have an immediate and ongoing regulatory need for the information described herein. The information which is required, should be available to members today if requested by the Exchange. If the Exchange requests such information today, the Exchange may utilize other rules [5] to request the information that is being provided today to CBOE pursuant to its rule 8.9. The Exchange believes this proposed rule will make clear that account identification information for Specialists and ROTs is to be retained by and should be provided to the Exchange upon request.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.[6] Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) [7] 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. This proposed change will remove an impediment to a free and open market by eliminating an unnecessary ongoing reporting process to PHLX members which is not required of members conducting similar transactions on CBOE and will retain the regulatory obligation to provide the information when needed in order to effectively regulate the market. Additionally, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) [8] requirement that the rules of an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers as this requirement continues to apply to both Specialists and ROTs.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
Phlx 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 proposed change does not impose any burden on intramarket competition because it applies to all members and member organizations. There is no burden on intermarket competition as the proposed change is merely attempting to remove an additional reporting document that the Exchange will continue to require members to retain and produce upon request.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were either solicited or received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
Because the foregoing 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, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act [9] and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.[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: (i) Necessary or appropriate in Start Printed Page 30908the public interest; (ii) for the protection of investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved. The Exchange has provided the Commission 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.
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 rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-Phlx-2014-35 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-Phlx-2014-35. 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-Phlx-2014-35 and should be submitted on or before June 19, 2014.
Start SignatureFor the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[11]
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
Footnotes
3. A Specialist is an Exchange member who is registered as an options specialist pursuant to Rule 1020(a). An options Specialist includes a Remote Specialist which is defined as an options specialist in one or more classes that does not have a physical presence on an Exchange floor and is approved by the Exchange pursuant to Rule 501.
Back to Citation4. A Registered Option Trader (“ROT”) is defined in Exchange Rule 1014(b) as a regular member of the Exchange located on the trading floor who has received permission from the Exchange to trade in options for his own account. A ROT includes SQTs and RSQTs as well as on and off-floor ROTS.
Back to Citation5. Rule 960.2(b) Cooperation with Investigation or Examination and Rule 760 Maintenance, Retention and Furnishing of Books, Records and Other Information.
Back to Citation8. Id.
Back to Citation[FR Doc. 2014-12425 Filed 5-28-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
Document Information
- Published:
- 05/29/2014
- Department:
- Securities and Exchange Commission
- Entry Type:
- Notice
- Document Number:
- 2014-12425
- Pages:
- 30906-30908 (3 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- Release No. 34-72229, File No. SR-Phlx-2014-35
- PDF File:
- 2014-12425.pdf