2012-19000. Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Extend the Pilot Period of Amendments to the Clearly Erroneous Rule

July 30, 2012.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”),^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] notice is hereby given that on July 24, 2012, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“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 extend the pilot period of recent amendments to Rule 11890, concerning clearly erroneous transactions, so that the pilot will now expire on February 4, 2013.

The text of the proposed rule change is below. Proposed new language is in italics; proposed deletions are in brackets.

* * * * *

11890. Clearly Erroneous Transactions

The provisions of paragraphs (C), (c)(1), (b)(i), and (b)(ii) of this Rule, as amended on September 10, 2010, shall be in effect during a pilot period set to end on February 4, 2013[July 31, 2012]. If the pilot is not either extended or approved permanent by February 4, 2013[July 31, 2012], the prior versions of paragraphs (C), (c)(1), and (b) shall be in effect.

(a)-(f) No change.

* * * * *

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 self-regulatory organization 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

On September 10, 2010, the Commission approved, for a pilot period to end December 10, 2010, a proposed rule change submitted by the Exchange, together with related rule changes of the BATS Exchange, Inc., NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc., Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated, Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc., EDGA Exchange, Inc., EDGX Exchange, Inc., International Securities Exchange LLC, New York Stock Exchange LLC, NYSE MKT LLC (formerly, NYSE Amex LLC), NYSE Arca, Inc., and National Stock Exchange, Inc., to amend certain of their respective rules to set forth clearer standards and curtail discretion with respect to breaking erroneous trades.^[3] The changes were adopted to address concerns that the lack of clear guidelines for dealing with clearly erroneous transactions may have added to the confusion and uncertainty faced by investors on May 6, 2010. On December 7, 2010, the Exchange filed an immediately effective filing to extend the existing pilot program for four months, so that the pilot would expire on April 11, 2011.^[4] On March 31, 2011, the Exchange filed an immediately effective filing to extend the existing pilot program for four months, so that the pilot would expire on the earlier of August 11, 2011 or the date on which a limit up/limit down mechanism to address extraordinary market volatility, if adopted, applies.^[5] On August 5, 2011, the Exchange filed an immediately effective filing removed language from the rule that tied the expiration of the pilot to the adoption of a limit up/limit down mechanism to address extraordinary market volatility, and further extended the pilot period, so that the pilot would expire on January 31, 2012.^[6] On August 8, 2011, the Exchange filed an immediately effective filing to amend Rule 11890 so that it would continue to operate in the same manner after changes to the single stock trading pause process became effective.^[7] On January 12, 2012, the Exchange filed an immediately effective filing that extended the pilot to July 31, 2012.^[8]

On May 31, 2012, the Commission approved, on a pilot basis, the National Market System Plan to Address Extraordinary Market Volatility.^[9] This plan creates a market-wide limit up-limit down mechanism that is intended to address extraordinary market volatility in NMS Stocks, which will be implemented on February 4, 2013. Once implemented, the plan will prevent execution of trades outside of certain trading bands, thus eliminating clearly erroneous transactions. The Exchange believes that the pilot program has been successful in providing greater transparency and certainty to the process of breaking erroneous trades. The Exchange also believes that an additional extension of the pilot is warranted so that it may continue to monitor the effects of the pilot on the markets and investors, and consider appropriate adjustments, as necessary. Extending the pilot to February 4, 2013, the implementation date of the market-wide limit up-limit down mechanism will permit the Exchange to continue to provide clear standards and curtail discretion with respect to breaking erroneous trades until the limit up/limit down mechanism, which is designed to prevent clearly erroneous transactions from occurring, is implemented.

Accordingly, the Exchange is filing to further extend the pilot program until February 4, 2012.

2. Statutory Basis

The statutory basis for the proposed rule change is Section 6(b)(5) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”),^[10] which requires the rules of an exchange to promote just and equitable principles of trade, 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. The proposed rule change also is designed to support the principles of Section 11A(a)(1) ^[11] of the Act in that it seeks to assure fair competition among brokers and dealers and among exchange markets. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule meets these requirements in that it promotes transparency and uniformity across markets concerning decisions to break erroneous trades. In addition, the Exchange believes extending the pilot to February 4, 2013 is consistent with the requirement to protect investors because it will permit the pilot to continue to provide clearer standards and curtail discretion with respect to breaking erroneous trades until the limit up/limit down mechanism is implemented, thus eliminating need for the pilot.

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

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action

The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act ^[12] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.^[13] 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 prior to 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 ^[14] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.^[15]

A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) ^[16] normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) ^[17] the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. 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 pilot program to continue uninterrupted, thereby avoiding the investor confusion that could result from a temporary interruption in the pilot program. For this reason, the Commission designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing.^[18]

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 No. SR-NASDAQ-2012-091 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-NASDAQ-2012-091. 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 Commissions 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. 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-NASDAQ-2012-091 and should be submitted by August 24, 2012.

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

Kevin M. O'Neill,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62886 (September 10, 2010), 75 FR 56613 (September 16, 2010).

4.  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63489 (December 9, 2010), 75 FR 78281 (December 15, 2010) (SR-NASDAQ-2010-160).

5.  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64238 (April 7, 2011), 76 FR 20780 (April 13, 2011) (SR-NASDAQ-2011-043).

6.  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65068 (August 9, 2011), 76 FR 50508 (August 15, 2011) (SR-NASDAQ-2011-114).

7.  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65104 (August 11, 2011), 76 FR 51076 (August 17, 2011) (SR-NASDAQ-2011-116).

8.  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 66225 (January 24, 2012), 77 FR 4602 (January 30, 2012) (SR-NASDAQ-2012-011).

9.  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67091 (May 31, 2012), 77 FR 33498 (June 6, 2012).

10.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

11.  15 U.S.C. 78k-1(a)(1).

12.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).

13.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

14.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

15.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the Exchange's 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, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.

16.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

17.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).

18.  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).

19.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).