2015-16083. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX BX Inc.; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Amend and Restate Certain Rules That Govern the ...

June 24, 2015.

I. Introduction

On March 20, 2015, NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc. (“BX” or the “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) ^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] a proposed rule change to amend and restate certain BX rules that govern the NASDAQ OMX BX Equities Market in order to provide a clearer and more detailed description of certain aspects of its functionality. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on April 6, 2015.^[3] The Commission received no comment letters regarding the proposed rule change. On May 12, 2015, the Commission extended to July 5, 2015, the time period in which to approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.^[4] On June 22, 2015, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.^[5] This order approves the proposed rule change, as amended, on an accelerated basis.

II. Description of the Amended Proposal

The Exchange proposes to amend and restate certain rules governing the NASDAQ OMX BX Equities Market in order to provide additional detail and clarity regarding its order type functionality.^[6] This proposed rule change is a response to Chair White's request that each equities exchange conduct a comprehensive review of the operation of each of the order types that it offers to members.^[7]

While the Exchange believes that its current rules and other public disclosures provide a comprehensive description of the operation of the NASDAQ OMX BX Equities Market and are sufficient for members and the investing public to have an accurate understanding of its market structure, it also acknowledges that a restatement of certain rules will further clarify the operation of its system.^[8] For instance, BX believes that adding examples of order type operation to its rules will promote greater understanding of the Exchange's market structure.^[9] In addition, BX asserts that certain functionality previously described as an “order type” is more precisely characterized as an attribute that may be added to a particular order.^[10] Accordingly, this proposed rule change distinguishes between “Order Types” and “Order Attributes,” and provides descriptions of the Order Attributes that may be attached to particular Order Types.^[11]

Currently, BX Rule 4751 sets forth most of the rules governing NASDAQ OMX BX Equities Market Order Types and Order Attributes, as well as other defined terms that pertain to trading securities on the NASDAQ OMX BX Equities Market.^[12] BX proposes to restate and amend Rule 4751 as new Rule 4701.^[13] BX also proposes to amend the definitions pertaining to Order Types and Order Attributes and to relocate them from Rule 4751 to new Rules 4702 (Order Types) and 4703 (Order Attributes), respectively.^[14] In addition, BX proposes to delete Rule 4755 as the information contained therein is superseded by proposed Rules 4702 and 4703.^[15] Lastly, BX proposes certain conforming and technical changes to Rules 4756, 4757, and 4780.^[16]

BX represents that, except where specifically stated otherwise, all proposed rules are restatements of existing rules and are not intended to reflect substantive changes to rule text or the operation of the NASDAQ OMX BX Equities Market.^[17] Proposed Rule 4702 related to Order Types contains definitions and descriptions of Price to Comply Orders, Price to Display Orders (referred to as “Price to Comply Post Orders” in current Rule 4751),^[18] Non-Displayed Orders, Post-Only Orders, Retail Price Improving Orders, and Retail Orders. Proposed Rule 4703 related to Order Attributes contains definitions and descriptions of time-in-force (“TIF”) modifiers, order size, order price, pegging, minimum quantity, routing, discretion, reserve size, attribution, intermarket sweep order designation, and display.^[19]

In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange proposes to add language further explaining the operation of the following order types: Post-Only Orders, orders with a TIF of IOC, including Routable Orders and Post-Only Orders; orders with Midpoint Pegging, Primary Pegging or Market Pegging; and orders designated with both Pegging and Routing attributes.^[20] For example, the Exchange states that for Order Types that list both Pegging and Routing as possible Order Attributes, the two Order Attributes may be combined since Pegging serves to establish the price of the order, while Routing establishes the market center(s) to which the system's routing functionality may direct a routed order if liquidity is available at that price.^[21] The Exchange also proposes to add further specification regarding the availability of certain order types only through certain communication protocols by stating that a Post-Only Order with a TIF of IOC may not be entered through the RASH or FIX protocols.^[22] In addition, the Exchange proposes to add language stating that one or more Order Attributes may be assigned to a single order, but if the use of multiple Order Attributes would result in contradictory instructions, the system will reject the order or remove non-conforming Order Attributes.^[23]

III. Discussion and Commission Findings

After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.^[24] In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,^[25] which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities 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 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; and are not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.

The Commission notes that the Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act because the reorganized and enhanced descriptions of its Order Types, Order Attributes, and related System functionality should promote just and equitable principles of trade and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and the national market system by providing greater clarity concerning certain aspects of the System's operations.^[26] In addition, the Commission notes that BX believes that the proposed rule change should contribute to the protection of investors and the public interest by making BX's rules easier to understand.^[27] Further, BX believes that additional specificity in its rules will promote a better understanding of the Exchange's operation, thereby facilitating fair competition among brokers and dealers and among markets.^[28]

The Commission notes that, according to the Exchange, the proposal does not add any new functionality but instead re-organizes the Exchange's order type rules and provides additional detail regarding the order type functionality currently offered by the Exchange. Based on the Exchange's representation, the Commission believes that the proposed rule change does not raise any novel regulatory considerations and should provide greater specificity, clarity and transparency with respect to the order type functionality available on the Exchange. In addition, the Commission notes that the Exchange's proposed rule changes provide additional detail related to functionality for certain order types and the handling of orders during initial entry and after posting to the NASDAQ OMX BX Equities Market Book. Accordingly, the Commission believes that this proposed rule change should provide greater transparency with respect to the Exchange's order type functionality. For these reasons, the Commission believes that the proposal should help to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, 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.

The Commission finds good cause to approve the filing, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change, prior to the thirtieth day after the date of publication of notice of filing thereof in the Federal Register. The proposed amendments should further increase the Exchange's transparency with respect to the operation of various order types and modifiers, and serve to enhance investors' understanding of the tools available with respect to the handling of their orders. Accelerated approval would allow the Exchange to update its rule text immediately, thus providing users with greater clarity with respect to the use and potential use of functionality offered by the Exchange. In addition, the initial proposal was open for comment for twenty-one days after publication and generated no comment. Accordingly, the Commission believes that good cause exists, consistent with Sections 6(b)(5) and 19(b) of the Act,^[29] to approve the filing, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change, on an accelerated basis.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, 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-BX-2015-015 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-BX-2015-015 . 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-BX-2015-015 and should be submitted on or before July 22, 2015.

V. Conclusion

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,^[30] that the proposed rule change (SR-BX-2015-015) be, and it hereby is, approved on an accelerated basis, as amended.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.³¹

Robert W. Errett,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74617 (March 31, 2015), 80 FR 18473 (“Notice”).

4.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74934, 80 FR 28325 (May 18, 2015).

5.  In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange proposed to correct typographical errors in the original filing, further improve the clarity of certain rule language, and include additional explanation with regard to the purpose of the proposed rule change.

6.  See Notice 80 FR at 18473.

7.  See id.; see also Mary Jo White, Chair, Commission, Speech at the Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. Global Exchange and Brokerage Conference (June 5, 2014), available at http://www.sec.gov/​News/​Speech/​Detail/​Speech/​1370542004312.

8.  See Notice, 80 FR at 18474.

9.  Id.

10.  Id.

11.  Id.

12.  See Rule 4751.

13.  See proposed Rule 4701.

14.  See proposed Rules 4702 and 4703.

15.  See Rule 4755.

16.  BX states that, in subsequent proposed rule changes, it plans to restate the remainder of its Rules numbered 4752 through 4780 so that they appear sequentially following Rule 4703. See. Notice, 80 FR at 18474.

17.  See. Notice, 80 FR at 18474.

18.  See Notice, 80 FR at 18477 n.29.

19.  The Notice contains additional details related to proposed Rules 4702 and 4703. See Notice, 80 FR at 18473-90.

20.  See Amendment No. 1.

21.  Id.

22.  Id.

23.  Id.

24.  In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

25.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

26.  See Notice, 80 FR at 18488.

27.  Id.

28.  Id.

29.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5); 15 U.S.C. 78s(b).

30.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

31.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).