2014-13693. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule Relating to Floor Booth Fees  

  • Start Preamble June 6, 2014.

    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 June 2, 2014, 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, 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 the Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend the NYSE Arca Options Fee Schedule (“Fee Schedule”) relating to Floor Booth Fees. The Exchange proposes to implement the fee change effective June 2, 2014. 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.Start Printed Page 33792

    A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    1. Purpose

    The purpose of this filing is to modify the Exchange's fees so as to temporarily reduce the cap on Floor Booth Fees to encourage larger Floor Broker operations on the Trading Floor.

    Currently, Floor Booths are assessed $350 per month per booth, capped at $3,500 per month per OTP Firm.[4] The Exchange is proposing to reduce the cap to $2,450 per month, from June 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014, to encourage OTP Firms to expand their operations. Going forward, OTP Firms will pay a maximum monthly booth fee of $2,450 regardless of how many booths they are authorized to use.

    NYSE Arca is not proposing any additional changes to Floor and Equipment Fees at this time.

    2. Statutory Basis

    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,[5] in general, and furthers the objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and (5) of the Act,[6] in particular, because it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members, issuers and other persons using its facilities and does not unfairly discriminate between customers, issuers, brokers or dealers.

    The Exchange believes that the proposed cap on Floor Booth Fees is reasonable and will equally benefit Floor Brokers as it will reduce the overhead costs of Floor Broker Firms.

    The Exchange also believes it is not unfairly discriminatory to reduce the cap on Floor Booth Fees because any type of OTP Firm that uses Floor Booths may take advantage of the cap to expand their operations supporting business on the Floor.

    Finally, the Exchange believes that the fee change is reasonable in light of the significant competitive forces facing the Exchange, as described below in the Exchange's statement regarding the burden on competition.

    For these reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the Act.

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

    In accordance with Section 6(b)(8) of the Act,[7] 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 believes that the proposed fee change reduces the burden on competition because it takes into account the value that business generated from Floor Booths add to the marketplace, as discussed above.

    The Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues, and providing a cap on Floor Booth fees allows OTP firms to both expand operations supporting customers and to reduce overhead, which in turn encourages Floor OTP firms to compete for business. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually review, and consider adjusting, its fees and credits to remain competitive with other exchanges. For the reasons described above, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change reflects this competitive environment.

    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 foregoing rule change is effective upon filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) [8] of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 [9] thereunder, because it establishes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange.

    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. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) [10] of the Act to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or 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

    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-NYSEArca-2014-61. 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 such 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-NYSEArca-2014-61, and should be submitted on or before July 3, 2014.

    Start Signature
    Start Printed Page 33793

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[11]

    Kevin M. O'Neill,

    Deputy Secretary.

    End Signature End Preamble

    Footnotes

    [FR Doc. 2014-13693 Filed 6-11-14; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

Document Information

Published:
06/12/2014
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
2014-13693
Pages:
33791-33793 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release No. 34-72342, File No. SR-NYSEArca-2014-61
EOCitation:
of 2014-06-06
PDF File:
2014-13693.pdf