Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”), and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on May 13, 2016, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (the “Exchange” or “BZX”) 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. The Exchange has designated this proposal as a “non-controversial” proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder, which renders it effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
17 CFR 240.19b-4.
17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange filed a proposal to amend Rule 11.24, Opening Process for Non-BZX-Listed Securities, to await a two-sided quotation from the listing exchange prior to opening a security for trading during Regular Trading Hours.
See Exchange Rule 1.5(w).
The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's Web site at www.batstrading.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 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 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 Exchange proposes to amend Rule 11.24, Opening Process for Non-BZX-Listed Securities, to await a two-sided quotation from the listing exchange prior to opening a non-BZX-Listed security for trading during Regular Trading Hours.
The opening process for BZX-Listed Securities is set forth under Exchange Rule 11.24(b).
Exchange Rule 11.24 describes the Exchange's current opening process for non-BZX-Listed securities. Subparagraph (a) to Rule 11.24 states that prior to the beginning of the Regular Trading Hours, Users who wish to participate in the Opening Process may enter orders to buy or sell. Subparagraph (a)(2) to Rule 11.24 provides that, with certain exceptions, all orders with a time-in-force instruction of Regular Hours Only may participate in the Opening Process. Subparagraph (b) to Rule 11.24 states that the Exchange will open by performing the Opening Process in which the System will attempt to match buy and sell orders that are executable at the midpoint of the National Best Bid and Offer (“NBBO”). Subparagraph (c) to Exchange Rule 11.24 sets forth the process by which the System sets the opening price of the Opening Process. Currently, the System sets the price of the Opening Process at the midpoint of the first NBBO after 9:30:00 a.m. Eastern Time. However, for securities listed on either the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”) or NYSE MKT LLC (“NYSE MKT”), the System currently sets the price of the Opening Process at the midpoint of the first NBBO subsequent to the first reported trade on the listing exchange after 9:30:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The Exchange may alternatively set the price of the Opening Process for securities listed on either the NYSE or NYSE MKT at the midpoint of the then prevailing NBBO when the first two-sided quotation published by the relevant listing exchange after 9:30:00 a.m. Eastern Time, but before 9:45:00 a.m. Eastern Time if no first trade is reported by the listing exchange within one second of publication of the first two-sided quotation by the listing exchange. The System waits to set the price at the midpoint of the first NBBO as set forth above because securities listed on the NYSE or NYSE MKT may not open at precisely 9:30:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
See Exchange Rule 1.5(cc).
Orders cancelled prior to the Opening Process will not participate in the Opening Process.
The following order types and instruction may not participate in the opening process: (i) BZX Post Only Orders, Partial Post Only at Limit Orders, ISOs not modified by Rule 11.24(a)(1) above, and Minimum Quantity Orders. See Exchange Rule 11.24(a)(2). Limit orders with a Reserve Quantity may participate to the full extent of their displayed size and Reserve Quantity. Id. Discretionary Orders may participate only up to their ranked price for buy orders or down to their ranked price for sell orders. Id. The discretionary range of such orders will not be eligible for participation in the Opening Process. Id. All Pegged Orders and Mid-Point Peg Orders, as defined in Rule 11.9(c)(8) and (9), will be eligible for execution in the Opening Process based on their pegged prices. Id.
See Exchange Rule 1.5(aa).
Pursuant to subparagraph (b) of Rule 11.24, all orders executable at the midpoint of the NBBO will continue to be processed in time sequence, beginning with the order with the oldest time stamp. Matches occur until there are no remaining contra-side orders or there is an imbalance of orders. An imbalance of orders may result in orders that cannot be executed in whole or in part. Any unexecuted orders may then be placed by the System on the BZX Book, cancelled, executed, or routed to away Trading Centers in accordance with the Users' instructions pursuant to Exchange Rule 11.13(a)(2).
The term “BZX Book” is defined as “the System's electronic file of orders.” See Exchange Rule 1.5(e).
The Exchange proposes to amend subparagraph (c) to Rule 11.24 to now await a two-sided quotation from the listing exchange prior to opening a security for trading during Regular Trading Hours. As amended, subparagraph (c)(2) to Rule 11.24 would state that the System would set the price of the Opening Process at the midpoint of the first NBBO subsequent to the first two-sided quotation published by the listing exchange after 9:30:00 a.m. Eastern Time. For securities listed on either the NYSE or NYSE MKT, subparagraph (c)(1)(i) to Rule 11.24 would state that the System would set the price of the Opening Process at the midpoint of the first NBBO subsequent to the first reported trade and first reported quotation on the listing exchange after 9:30:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Pursuant to subparagraph (c)(1)(i) to Rule 11.24, the Exchange will utilize the existing NBBO to calculate each securities' [sic] opening price once a trade and two-sided quotation are received from the listing exchange, regardless of the order in which the trade or quotation are received. The Exchange believes the proposed rule change will enable the listing market's quotation to be incorporated into the NBBO, which the Exchange would, in turn, utilize in its calculation of the midpoint of the NBBO. The Exchange believes doing so would result in an opening price that more closely reflect the opening market prices and conditions for that security. Under subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) to Rule 11.24, the Exchange will continue to alternatively set the price of the Opening Process for securities listed on either the NYSE or NYSE MKT at the midpoint of the then prevailing NBBO when the first two-sided quotation published by the relevant listing exchange after 9:30:00 a.m. Eastern Time, but before 9:45:00 a.m. Eastern Time if no first trade is reported by the listing exchange within one second of publication of the first two-sided quotation by the listing exchange.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act in particular, in that it is designed 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. The Exchange believes the proposed rule change will promote just and equitable principles of trade, removes impediments to, and perfect the mechanism of, a free and open market and a national market system because it enables the System to execute the Opening Process at a price that is objectively established by the market for the security. The proposal would enable the listing market's quotation to be incorporated into the NBBO, which the Exchange would, in turn, utilize in its calculation of the midpoint of the NBBO. The Exchange believes doing so would result in an opening price that more closely reflect the opening market prices and conditions for that security. Therefore, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change promotes just and equitable principles of trade because it ensures a midpoint price that the Exchange believes would accurately reflect the market for the security.
15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposal will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change will enable the Exchange to incorporate the listing market's quotation into its calculation of the midpoint of the NBBO, resulting in an opening price that would more closely reflect the opening market prices and conditions for that security. Therefore, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change will promote competition by enhancing the quality of the Exchange's opening process.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on the proposed rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
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 for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.
17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and the 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.
A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the Act normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 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 asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange states that waiver of the 30-day operative delay would allow market participants to immediately realize the benefits of what may be more accurate opening prices. Based on the foregoing, the Commission believes the waiver of the operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and designates the proposal operative upon filing.
17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
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).
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. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings 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 No. SR-BatsBZX-2016-19 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 No. SR-BatsBZX-2016-19. 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 No. SR-BatsBZX-2016-19, and should be submitted on or before June 22, 2016.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-12777 Filed 5-31-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P