2023-12764. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE American LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Modify the NYSE American Options Fee Schedule

June 9, 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 June 1, 2023, NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American” or the “Exchange”) 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 Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to modify the NYSE American Options Fee Schedule (“Fee Schedule”) regarding a rebate for Qualified Contingent Cross (“QCC”) transactions. The Exchange proposes to implement the fee change effective June 1, 2023. 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 this filing is to amend the Fee Schedule to offer Floor Brokers an additional incentive for executing QCC transactions.^[4] The Exchange proposes to implement the rule change on June 1, 2023.

Section I.F. of the Fee Schedule sets forth fees and credits applicable to QCC transactions.^[5] Currently, Floor Brokers may earn a credit of ($0.12) per contract for QCC transactions of a Customer or Professional Customer vs. a Market Maker, Firm, or Broker Dealer, and a credit of ($0.18) per contract for QCC transactions of a Market Maker, Firm, or Broker Dealer vs. a Market Maker, Firm, or Broker Dealer.

The Exchange proposes to modify Section I.F. to add a QCC Billable Bonus Rebate (the “Rebate”) for Floor Brokers' QCC transactions. Specifically, the Exchange proposes that the Rebate would provide Floor Brokers that achieve (1) 1 million manual billable sides in a month and (2) 3 million QCC billable contracts in a month with a rebate of ($0.02) per two billable side QCC contract, payable on a monthly basis.

Although the Exchange cannot predict with certainty whether the proposed change would encourage Floor Brokers to increase their manual billable volume or QCC billable volume on the Exchange, the proposed change is designed to continue to incentivize Floor Brokers to do so in order to earn an additional rebate on QCC two billable side volume. All Floor Brokers would be eligible to qualify for the Rebate, as proposed.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act,^[6] in general, and furthers the objectives of sections 6(b)(4) and (5) of the Act,^[7] 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 Proposed Rule Change is Reasonable

The Exchange operates in a highly competitive market. The Commission has repeatedly expressed its preference for competition over regulatory intervention in determining prices, products, and services in the securities markets. In Regulation NMS, the Commission highlighted the importance of market forces in determining prices and SRO revenues and, also, recognized that current regulation of the market system “has been remarkably successful in promoting market competition in its broader forms that are most important to investors and listed companies.” ^[8]

There are currently 16 registered options exchanges competing for order flow. Based on publicly-available information, and excluding index-based options, no single exchange has more than 16% of the market share of executed volume of multiply-listed equity and ETF options trades.^[9] Therefore, no exchange possesses significant pricing power in the execution of multiply-listed equity and ETF options order flow. More specifically, in April 2023, the Exchange had less than 8% market share of executed volume of multiply-listed equity and ETF options trades.^[10]

The Exchange believes that the ever-shifting market share among the exchanges from month to month demonstrates that market participants can shift order flow, or discontinue or reduce use of certain categories of products, in response to fee changes. Accordingly, competitive forces constrain options exchange transaction fees. Stated otherwise, changes to exchange transaction fees can have a direct effect on the ability of an exchange to compete for order flow.

The Exchange believes that the proposed Rebate is reasonable because it is designed to continue to incent Floor Brokers to increase their manual billable volume and QCC billable contracts executed on the Exchange. The Exchange notes that all market participants stand to benefit from any increase in volume, which could promote market depth, facilitate tighter spreads and enhance price discovery, particularly to the extent the proposed change encourages market participants to utilize the Exchange as a primary trading venue, and may lead to a corresponding increase in order flow from other market participants.

Finally, to the extent the proposed change continues to attract greater volume and liquidity, the Exchange believes the proposed change would improve the Exchange's overall competitiveness and strengthen its market quality for all market participants. In the backdrop of the competitive environment in which the Exchange operates, the proposed rule change is a reasonable attempt by the Exchange to increase the depth of its market and improve its market share relative to its competitors. The Exchange's fees are constrained by intermarket competition, as market participants can choose to direct their order flow to any of the 16 options exchanges, including those offering rebates on QCC transactions.^[11] The Exchange believes that proposed rule change is designed to continue to incent Floor Brokers to direct liquidity to the Exchange, and, to the extent they continue to be incentivized to aggregate their trading activity at the Exchange, that increased liquidity could promote market depth, price discovery and improvement, and enhanced order execution opportunities for all market participants.

The Proposed Rule Change Is an Equitable Allocation of Fees and Credits

The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is an equitable allocation of its fees and credits. The proposal is based on the amount and type of business transacted on the Exchange, and Floor Brokers can choose to execute manual billable transactions and QCC billable transactions to earn the proposed Rebate or not. The Exchange also believes that the proposed Rebate is an equitable allocation of fees and credits because it would be available to all Floor Brokers equally, and all Floor Brokers would be eligible to qualify for the Rebate based on achieving the same volume requirements. The Exchange further believes that the proposed change is equitable because it is intended to encourage the role performed by Floor Brokers in facilitating the execution of orders via open outcry, a function which the Exchange wishes to support for the benefit of all market participants.

To the extent that the proposed changes continue to incent ATP Holders to utilize the Exchange as a primary execution venue and attract more volume on the Exchange, this increased order flow would continue to make the Exchange a more competitive venue for, among other things, order execution. Thus, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change would improve market quality for all market participants on the Exchange and, as a consequence, attract more order flow to the Exchange, thereby improving market-wide quality and price discovery.

The Proposed Rule Change Is Not Unfairly Discriminatory

The Exchange believes the proposed change is not unfairly discriminatory because the proposed Rebate is based on the amount and type of business transacted on the Exchange, and Floor Brokers are not obligated to execute billable manual or QCC volume. The Exchange also believes that the proposed change is not unfairly discriminatory to non-Floor Brokers because Floor Brokers serve an important function in facilitating the execution of orders on the Exchange, which the Exchange wishes to encourage and support to promote price improvement opportunities for all market participants.

Thus, the Exchange believes that, to the extent the proposed rule change would continue to improve market quality for all market participants on the Exchange by attracting more order flow to the Exchange, thereby improving market-wide quality and price discovery, the resulting increased volume and liquidity would provide more trading opportunities and tighter spreads to all market participants and thus would promote just and equitable principles of trade, remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, protect investors and the public interest.

Finally, the Exchange believes that it is subject to significant competitive forces, as described below in the Exchange's statement regarding the burden on competition.

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

In accordance with section 6(b)(8) of the Act, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Instead, as discussed above, the Exchange believes that the proposed changes would encourage the submission of additional liquidity to a public exchange, thereby promoting market depth, price discovery and transparency and enhancing order execution opportunities for all market participants. As a result, the Exchange believes that the proposed change furthers the Commission's goal in adopting Regulation NMS of fostering integrated competition among orders, which promotes “more efficient pricing of individual stocks for all types of orders, large and small.” ^[12]

Intramarket Competition. The proposed change is designed to attract order flow to the Exchange. Specifically, the proposed change is intended to continue to incent Floor Brokers to direct manual billable volume and QCC billable volume to the Exchange by offering them a rebate on QCC billable volume, which could increase the volumes of contracts traded on the Exchange. Greater liquidity benefits all market participants on the Exchange, and increased manual billable and QCC billable transactions could increase opportunities for execution of other trading interest.

Intermarket Competition. The Exchange operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor one of the 16 competing option exchanges if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be excessive. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually adjust its fees to remain competitive with other exchanges and to attract order flow to the Exchange. Based on publicly-available information, and excluding index-based options, no single exchange has more than 16% of the market share of executed volume of multiply-listed equity and ETF options trades.^[13] Therefore, no exchange possesses significant pricing power in the execution of multiply-listed equity and ETF options order flow. More specifically, in April 2023, the Exchange had less than 8% market share of executed volume of multiply-listed equity and ETF options trades.^[14]

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change reflects this competitive environment because it modifies the Exchange's fees and credits in a manner designed to continue to incent Floor Brokers to direct trading interest (particularly manual billable volume and QCC billable volume) to the Exchange, to provide liquidity, and to attract order flow. To the extent that Floor Brokers are encouraged to utilize the Exchange as a primary trading venue for all transactions, all of the Exchange's market participants should benefit from the improved market quality and increased opportunities for price improvement. The Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues, including those that offer rebates on QCC transactions.^[15] In such an environment, the Exchange must continually review, and consider adjusting, its fees and credits to remain competitive with other 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

The foregoing rule change is effective upon filing pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) ^[16] of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b–4 ^[17] 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) ^[18] 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

• 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–2023–31 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–2023–31. 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 a.m. and 3 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–2023–31 and should be submitted on or before July 6, 2023.

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

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.  A QCC is defined as an originating order to buy or sell at least 1,000 contracts, or 10,000 mini-options contracts, that is identified as being part of a qualified contingent trade (as that term is defined in Commentary .01 to Rule 900.3NY), coupled with a contra side order or orders totaling an equal number of contracts. See Rule 900.3NY(y).

5.   See Fee Schedule, Section I.F. (QCC Fees & Credits).

6.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).

8.   See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 2005), 70 FR 37496, 37499 (June 29, 2005) (S7–10–04) (“Reg NMS Adopting Release”).

9.  The OCC publishes options and futures volume in a variety of formats, including daily and monthly volume by exchange, available here: https:/www.theocc.com/​Market-Data/​Market-Data-Reports/​Volume-and-Open-Interest/​Monthly-Weekly-Volume-Statistics.

10.  Based on a compilation of OCC data for monthly volume of equity-based options and monthly volume of ETF-based options, see id., the Exchange's market share in equity-based options was 8.14% for the month of April 2022 and 7.87% for the month of April 2023.

11.   See, e.g., EDGX Options Exchange Fee Schedule, QCC Initiator/Solicitation Rebate Tiers (applying ($0.14) per contract rebate up to 999,999 contracts for QCC transactions when only one side of the transaction is a non-customer or ($0.22) per contract rebate up to 999,999 contracts for QCC transactions with non-customers on both sides); BOX Options Fee Schedule at Section IV.D.1. (QCC Rebate) (providing for ($0.14) per contract rebate up to 1,499,999 contracts for QCC transactions when only one side of the QCC transaction is a broker-dealer or market maker or ($0.22) per contract rebate up to 1,499,999 contracts for QCC transactions when both parties are a broker-dealer or market maker); Nasdaq ISE, Options 7, Section 6.B. (QCC Rebate) (offering rebates on QCC transactions of ($0.14) per contract when only one side of the QCC transaction is a non-customer or ($0.22) per contract when both sides of the QCC transaction are non-customers).

12.   See Reg NMS Adopting Release, supra note 8, at 37499.

13.   See note 9, supra.

14.   See note 10, supra.

15.   See note 11, supra.

16.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

17.  17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).

18.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).

19.  17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).