2013-22884. Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Correct a Typographical Error and an Incorrect Cross Reference in Rule 5635(e)(4)
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Start Preamble
September 16, 2013.
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 September 10, 2013, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq” or “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 Exchange. Nasdaq has designated the proposed rule change as effecting a change described under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the Act,[3] which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. 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
Nasdaq proposes a change to Rule 5635 to correct a typographical error and incorrect citation.
The text of the proposed rule change is below. Proposed new language is in underlined; proposed deletions are in brackets.[4]
* * * * *5635. Shareholder Approval
This Rule sets forth the circumstances under which shareholder approval is required prior to an issuance of securities in connection with: (i) the acquisition of the stock or assets of another company; (ii) equity-based compensation of officers, directors, employees or consultants; (iii) a change of control; and (iv) private placements. General provisions relating to shareholder approval are set forth in Rule 5635(e), and the financial viability exception to the shareholder approval requirement is set forth in Rule 5635(f). Nasdaq-listed Companies and their representatives are encouraged to use the interpretative letter process described in Rule 5602.
(a)-(d) No change.
(e) Definitions and Computations Relating to the Shareholder Approval Requirements
(1)-(3) No change.
(4) Where shareholder approval is required, the minimum vote that will constitute shareholder approval shall be a majority of the total votes cast on the proposal.[.] These votes may be cast in person, by proxy at a meeting of Shareholders or by written consent in lieu of a special meeting to the extent permitted by applicable state and federal law and rules (including interpretations thereof), including, without limitation, Regulations 14A and 14C under the Act. Nothing contained in this Rule 5635(e) (4)[(5)] shall affect a Start Printed Page 57906Company's obligation to hold an annual meeting of Shareholders as required by Rule 5620(a).
(5) No change.
(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, Nasdaq 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. Nasdaq 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
Nasdaq is proposing to correct a typographical error and to update a rule reference found in Rule 5635(e)(4). Specifically, Nasdaq proposes to delete an extraneous period in that rule and to correct a reference to that paragraph, which currently incorrectly identifies it as paragraph (5).
2. Statutory Basis
Nasdaq believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,[5] in general and with Sections 6(b)(5) of the Act,[6] in particular in that it is 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. The proposed rule change is consistent with these provisions in that it will eliminate confusion about Nasdaq rules by updating an inaccurate cross-reference, without changing the substance of the rules.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
Nasdaq 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. The proposed rule change will have no impact on competition as it merely eliminates potential confusion by clarifying the existing rule without changing its substance.
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 foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act [7] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) [8] thereunder because the proposal does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) by its terms, become operative for 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.[9]
A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally may not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) [10] permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay period. The Commission believes that waiver of the 30-day operative delay period is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Specifically, the Commission believes that the proposal would eliminate confusion in the Exchange's rules and provide clarification to the public. For these reasons, the Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, and designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing with the Commission.[11]
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.[12]
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-NASDAQ-2013-118 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-2013-118. 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 Start Printed Page 57907inspection 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-2013-118 and should be submitted on or before October 11, 2013.
Start SignatureFor the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[13]
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
Footnotes
4. Changes are marked to the rule text that appears in the electronic manual of Nasdaq found at http://nasdaqomx.cchwallstreet.com.
Back to Citation9. 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.
Back to Citation11. For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
Back to Citation[FR Doc. 2013-22884 Filed 9-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
Document Information
- Published:
- 09/20/2013
- Department:
- Securities and Exchange Commission
- Entry Type:
- Notice
- Document Number:
- 2013-22884
- Pages:
- 57905-57907 (3 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- Release No. 34-70421, File No. SR-NASDAQ-2013-118
- EOCitation:
- of 2013-09-16
- PDF File:
- 2013-22884.pdf