Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq MRX, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Chapter IV of the Exchange's Schedule of Fees

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Federal RegisterApr 10, 2018
83 Fed. Reg. 15434 (Apr. 10, 2018)
April 4, 2018.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, notice is hereby given that on March 22, 2018, Nasdaq MRX, LLC (“MRX” 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. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

17 CFR 240.19b-4.

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to amend Chapter IV of its Schedule of Fees, as described below.

The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's website at http://nasdaqmrx.cchwallstreet.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 aspects of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The Exchange proposes to amend Chapter IV of its Schedule of Fees to harmonize it with the rules of Nasdaq BX, Inc. (“BX”).

The amendments eliminate or replace certain obsolete language in the Schedule of Fees. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend Chapter IV.A.2, under the heading “Market Data Connectivity,” to re-categorize and to update references to the CBOE/Bats/Direct Edge data feeds to reflect their current names. Similarly, the Exchange proposes to delete a $1,000 installation fee that presently applies to the Direct Edge feeds because the Direct Edge feeds are now offerings of CBOE, along with the BZX and BYX feeds. Going forward, a single, one-time $1,000 installation fee will apply to subscribers to any or all of the CBOE data feeds. The Exchange also proposes to correct a typographical error in the name of the TSXV Level 2 Feed. The Exchange notes that this proposal will render this paragraph of Chapter IV.A.2 consistent with BX Rule 7034.

The proposal adds a footnote to the first line of Chapter IV.A, which was mistakenly omitted from the Schedule of Fees, which states that the co-location services described therein are provided by Nasdaq Technology Services LLC.

The Exchange also proposes to correct a typographical error in the numbering of the subsection of Chapter IV entitled “Exchange Testing Facilities.” The proposal changes the lettering of this subsection from “I.” to “E.” It furthermore corrects a typographical error in the asterisked footnote under the “Market Data Connectivity Heading” wherein the existing text erroneously states that “[m]arket data fees are charged independently by Nasdaq ISE and other exchanges” rather than by “Nasdaq MRX and other exchanges.”

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 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 that its proposal to update Chapter IV.A.2 will serve the interests of the public and investors by ensuring that the Exchange's Rules are accurate and current with respect to the names of the third party data feeds to which it offers connectivity. Furthermore, the Exchange believes that it is in the public interest to correct typographical errors that could otherwise lead to confusion. These proposals will not impact competition or limit access to or availability of the Exchange or its systems. The Exchange notes the proposal is noncontroversial because BX has made the same changes to its rules.

15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

The Exchange's proposal to eliminate the $1,000 installation fee that presently applies to the Direct Edge feeds is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act, in general, and furthers the objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act, in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any facility, and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. The proposal is reasonable because the Direct Edge feeds are now offerings of CBOE, along with the BZX and BYX feeds. The Exchange believes it is equitable, going forward, to charge a single, one-time $1,000 installation fee to subscribers to any or all of the CBOE data feeds, including the BZX Depth, BYX Depth, EDGA Depth, and EDGX Depth feeds. This proposal is not unfairly discriminatory because it will apply to all similarly situated customers of the CBOE data feeds.

15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).

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

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

In this instance, the proposed changes merely replace obsolete text, update references to data feeds, add inadvertently omitted text, and correct typographical errors. The Exchange does not intend for or expect that such changes will have any impact on competition.

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

No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

Because the foregoing 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). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its 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.

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 requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposed rule change may become operative upon filing. Waiver of the operative delay would allow the Exchange to update its rules without delay to reflect current and accurate information with respect to the third party data feeds to which it offers connectivity and to correct typographical errors. The Commission also notes that BX recently made similar changes to its rules. Therefore, the Commission believes that waiver of the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Accordingly, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and designates the proposed rule change operative upon filing.

17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).

See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 82628 (February 5, 2018), 83 FR 5818 (February 9, 2018) (SR-BX-2018-006).

For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission also has 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 Number SR-MRX-2018-10 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-MRX-2018-10. 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 website ( 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 website 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. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-MRX-2018-10, and should be submitted on or before May 1, 2018.

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

Eduardo A. Aleman,

Assistant Secretary.

[FR Doc. 2018-07241 Filed 4-9-18; 8:45 am]

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