Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Exchange's Name Change

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Federal RegisterOct 27, 2017
82 Fed. Reg. 49879 (Oct. 27, 2017)
October 23, 2017.

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 October 18, 2017, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III 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 its rules as well as certain corporate documents of the Exchange to reflect legal name changes.

The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at http://nasdaq.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 purpose of this filing is to reflect in the Exchange's governing documents (and the governing documents of its parent company) and the Exchange's Rulebook a non-substantive corporate branding change to the Exchange's name. Specifically, current references will be changed as follows:

The Exchange proposes to amend: (i) The Certificate of Formation; (ii) Second Amended Limited Liability Company Agreement; (iii) By-Laws; and (iv) Rule Book.

NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX, Inc. will also be filing similar rule changes.

  • References to “NASDAQ” will be changed to “Nasdaq”
  • References to “The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC” or “NASDAQ Stock Market LLC” will be changed to “The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC”
  • References to “NASDAQ PHLX LLC” or “NASDAQ PHLX” will be changed to “Nasdaq PHLX LLC” or “Nasdaq PHLX”
  • References to “NASDAQ BX, Inc.” or “NASDAQ BX” will be changed to “Nasdaq BX, Inc.” or “Nasdaq BX”
  • References to “NASDAQ OMX PSX” or “NASDAQ PSX” will be changed to “Nasdaq PSX”
  • References to “The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.” or “NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.” will be changed to “Nasdaq, Inc”
  • In addition to the preceding changes, all references to “OMX” will be removed from the Rulebook.
  • References to “NASDAQ Options Market LLC” will be replaced with “The Nasdaq Options Market LLC”
  • References to “NASDAQ Execution Services, LLC” will be changed to “Nasdaq Execution Services, LLC”
  • In all instances where the word “the” should have been capitalized, (e.g., Rule 4758(b)(1)), the Exchange will make the appropriate correction.

No other changes are being proposed in this filing. The Exchange represents that these changes are concerned solely with the administration of the Exchange and do not affect the meaning, administration, or enforcement of any rules of the Exchange or the rights, obligations, or privileges of Exchange members or their associated persons in any way. Accordingly, this filing is being submitted under Rule 19b-4(f)(3). In lieu of providing a copy of the marked changes, the Exchange represents that it will make the necessary non-substantive revisions to the Certificate of Formation, Second Amended Limited Liability Company Agreement, By-Laws, the Rulebook and post updated versions of each on the Exchange's Web site pursuant to Rule 19b-4(m)(2).

The Exchange notes that the following references are not being amended in the Exchange's governing documents and the Exchange's Rulebook:

  • Any name with a trademark (TM) or service mark (SM) attached to the name.
  • Any references in the Certificate of Formation or Second Amended Limited Liability Company Agreement which references [sic] a prior name of the Exchange and reflects [sic] a historical date wherein that name was in effect.

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 by avoiding confusion with the name. The Exchange proposes to conform its name to that of its parent, Nasdaq Inc., by changing the capitalization in the word “NASDAQ” to “Nasdaq.” The Exchange also proposes to amend the names of affiliated markets in a similar manner, by changing the name “NASDAQ” to “Nasdaq.” The name change of the Exchange as well as other name changes to related entities are non-substantive changes. No changes to the ownership or structure of the Exchange have taken place.

15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(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. The name change will align with the parent company, Nasdaq, Inc.

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

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(3) thereunder, the Exchange has designated this proposal as one that is concerned solely with the administration of the self-regulatory organization, and therefore has become effective.

17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(3).

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 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-NASDAQ-2017-111 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-NASDAQ-2017-111. 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. 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-NASDAQ-2017-111, and should be submitted on or before November 17, 2017.

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

Eduardo A. Aleman,

Assistant Secretary.

[FR Doc. 2017-23370 Filed 10-26-17; 8:45 am]

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