2015-19645. Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending the NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule To Discontinue the Market Access and Connectivity Subsidy
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Start Preamble
August 5, 2015.
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 July 31, 2015, NYSE MKT LLC (the “Exchange” or “NYSE MKT”) 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 Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend the NYSE Amex Options Fee Schedule (“Fee Schedule”) to discontinue the Market Access and Connectivity (“MAC”) Subsidy. The Exchange proposes to implement the fee change effective August 1, 2015. 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, Start Printed Page 48133and 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 discontinue the MAC Subsidy as described below. The Exchange proposes to implement this fee change effective August 1, 2015.
The Exchange proposes to discontinue fees for the MAC Subsidy, which is paid to ATP Holders that provide access and connectivity to the Exchange to other ATP Holders and/or utilize such access themselves. In February 2014, the Exchange implemented the MAC Subsidy for those ATP Holders that provide access and connectivity to the Exchange for the purposes of electronic order routing either to other ATP Holders and/or utilize such access themselves.[4] The MAC Subsidy pays a certain rebate to qualifying ATP Holders based on certain executed electronic volumes delivered to the Exchange by the qualifying ATP Holders' connection(s) to the Exchange. The MAC Subsidy was designed to attract higher volumes of electronic equity and Exchange-Traded Fund (“ETF”) volume to the Exchange from certain market participants. However, the Exchange does not believe that the MAC Subsidy has achieved its intended objective of attracting additional volume and, therefore, proposes to discontinue it. Thus, the Exchange proposes to delete the MAC Subsidy, and the description thereof, from Section I.H. of the Fee Schedule and to hold that section as Reserved.
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 the discontinuance of the MAC Subsidy is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because it would result in all similarly situated ATP Holders being treated in the same manner, regardless of volume delivered to the Exchange. The Exchange further believes the proposed rule change is reasonable because removing the MAC Subsidy from the Fee Schedule will provide clarity and greater transparency regarding the Exchange's fees.
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 notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues. 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
- 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-NYSEMKT-2015-59 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-NYSEMKT-2015-59. 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 Start Printed Page 48134printing in the Commission's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the NYSE's principal office and on its Internet Web site at www.nyse.com. 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-NYSEMKT-2015-59 and should be submitted on or before September 1, 2015.
Start SignatureFor the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[11]
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
Footnotes
4. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71532 (February 12, 2014), 79 FR 9663 (February 19, 2014) (SR-NYSEMKT-2014-12).
Back to Citation6. 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
Back to Citation[FR Doc. 2015-19645 Filed 8-10-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
Document Information
- Published:
- 08/11/2015
- Department:
- Securities and Exchange Commission
- Entry Type:
- Notice
- Document Number:
- 2015-19645
- Pages:
- 48132-48134 (3 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- Release No. 34-75609, File No. SR-NYSEMKT-2015-59
- EOCitation:
- of 2015-08-05
- PDF File:
- 2015-19645.pdf