[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 251 (Friday, December 30, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 82328-82329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33579]



[[Page 82328]]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-66041; File No. SR-NYSEAmex-2011-103]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Amex LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Extending the 
Operation of Its Supplemental Liquidity Providers Pilot Under Rule 107B 
Until the Earlier of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Approval 
To Make Such Pilot Permanent or July 31, 2012

December 23, 2011.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on December 16, 2011, NYSE Amex LLC (the ``Exchange'' or ``NYSE 
Amex'') 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 self-regulatory 
organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to extend the operation of its Supplemental 
Liquidity Providers Pilot (``SLP Pilot'' or ``Pilot'') (See Rule 107B--
NYSE Amex Equities), currently scheduled to expire on January 31, 2012, 
until the earlier of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (``SEC'' 
or ``Commission'') approval to make such Pilot permanent or July 31, 
2012. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the 
Exchange, the Commission's Public Reference Room, and www.nyse.com.

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 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to extend the operation of its Supplemental 
Liquidity Providers Pilot,\3\ currently scheduled to expire on January 
31, 2012, until the earlier of Commission approval to make such Pilot 
permanent or July 31, 2012.
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    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61308 (January 7, 
2010), 75 FR 2573 (January 15, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2009-98) 
(establishing the NYSE Amex Equities SLP Pilot). See also Securities 
Exchange Act Release Nos. 61841 (April 5, 2010), 75 FR 18560 (April 
12, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-33) (extending the operation of the SLP 
Pilot to September 30, 2010); 62814 (September 1, 2010), 75 FR 54671 
(September 8, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-88) (extending the operation 
of the SLP Pilot to January 31, 2011); 58877 (October 29, 2008), 73 
FR 65904 (November 5, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-108) (establishing the SLP 
Pilot); 59869 (May 6, 2009), 74 FR 22796 (May 14, 2009) (SR-NYSE-
2009-46) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to October 1, 
2009); 60756 (October 1, 2009), 74 FR 51628 (October 7, 2009) (SR-
NYSE-2009-100) (extending the operation of the New Market Model and 
the SLP Pilots to November 30, 2009); 61075 (November 30, 2009), 74 
FR 64112 (December 7, 2009) (SR-NYSE-2009-119) (extending the 
operation of the SLP Pilot to March 30, 2010); 61840 (April 5, 
2010), 75 FR 18563 (April 12, 2010) (SR-NYSE-2010-28) (extending the 
operation of the SLP Pilot to September 30, 2010); 62813 (September 
1, 2010), 75 FR 54686 (September 8, 2010) (SR-NYSE-2010-62) 
(extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to January 31, 2011); 
63615 (December 29, 2010), 76 FR 611 (January 5, 2011) (SR-NYSEAmex-
2010-123) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to August 1, 
2011); and 64772 (June 29, 2011), 76 FR 39455 (July 6, 2011) (SR-
NYSEAmex-2011-44) (extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to 
January 31, 2012).
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Background \4\
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    \4\ The information contained herein is a summary of the NMM 
Pilot and the SLP Pilot. See supra note [3] and [i]nfra note [8] 
[sic] for a fuller description of those pilots.
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    In October 2008, the New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'') 
implemented significant changes to its market rules, execution 
technology and the rights and obligations of its market participants 
all of which were designed to improve execution quality on the NYSE. 
These changes were all elements of the NYSE's and the Exchange's 
enhanced market model referred to as the ``New Market Model'' (``NMM 
Pilot'').\5\ The NYSE SLP Pilot was launched in coordination with the 
NMM Pilot (see NYSE Rule 107B).
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    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58845 (October 24, 
2008), 73 FR 64379 (October 29, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-46).
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    As part of the NMM Pilot, NYSE eliminated the function of 
specialists on the Exchange creating a new category of market 
participant, the Designated Market Maker or ``DMM.'' \6\ Separately, 
the NYSE established the SLP Pilot, which established SLPs as a new 
class of market participants to supplement the liquidity provided by 
DMMs.\7\
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    \6\ See NYSE Rule 103.
    \7\ See NYSE and NYSE Amex Equities Rules 107B.
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    The NYSE adopted NYSE Rule 107B governing SLPs as a six-month pilot 
program commencing in November 2008. This NYSE pilot has been extended 
several times, most recently to January 31, 2012.\8\ The NYSE is in the 
process of requesting an extension of their SLP Pilot until July 31, 
2012 or until the Commission approves the pilot as permanent.\9\ The 
extension of the NYSE SLP Pilot until July 31, 2012 runs parallel with 
the extension of the NMM pilot until July 31, 2012, or until the 
Commission approves the NMM Pilot as permanent.
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    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 58877 (October 29, 
2008), 73 FR 65904 (November 5, 2008) (SR-NYSE-2008-108) (adopting 
SLP pilot program); 59869 (May 6, 2009), 74 FR 22796 (May 14, 2009) 
(SR-NYSE-2009-46) (extending SLP pilot program until October 1, 
2009); 60756 (October 1, 2009), 74 FR 51628 (October 7, 2009) (SR-
NYSE-2009-100) (extending SLP pilot program until November 30, 
2009); 61075 (November 30, 2009), 74 FR 64112 (December 7, 2009) 
(SR-NYSE-2009-119) (extending SLP pilot program until March 30, 
2010); 61840 (April 5, 2010), 75 FR 18563 (April 12, 2010) (SR-NYSE-
2010-28) (extending the SLP Pilot until September 30, 2010); 62813 
(September 1, 2010), 75 FR 54686 (September 8, 2010) (SR-NYSE-2010-
62) (extending the SLP Pilot until January 31, 2011); 63616 
(December 29, 2010), 76 FR 612 (January 5, 2011) (SR-NYSE-2010-86) 
(extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to August 1, 2011); and 
64762 (June 28, 2011), 76 FR 39145 (July 5, 2011) (SR-NYSE-2011-30) 
(extending the operation of the SLP Pilot to January 31, 2012).
    \9\ See SR-NYSE-2011-66.
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Proposal To Extend the Operation of the NYSE Amex Equities SLP Pilot

    NYSE Amex Equities established the SLP Pilot to provide incentives 
for quoting, to enhance competition among the existing group of 
liquidity providers, including the DMMs, and add new competitive market 
participants. NYSE Amex Equities Rule 107B is based on NYSE Rule 107B. 
NYSE Amex Rule 107B was filed with the Commission on December 30, 2009, 
as a ``me too'' filing for immediate effectiveness as a pilot 
program.\10\ The NYSE Amex Equities SLP Pilot is scheduled to end 
operation on January 31, 2012 or such earlier time as the Commission 
may determine to make the rules permanent.
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    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61308 (January 7, 
2010), 75 FR 2573 (January 15, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2009-98).
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    The Exchange believes that the SLP Pilot, in coordination with the 
NMM Pilot and the NYSE SLP Pilot, allows the Exchange to provide its 
market participants with a trading venue that utilizes an enhanced 
market structure to encourage the addition of liquidity, facilitate the 
trading of larger orders more efficiently and operates to reward 
aggressive liquidity providers. As such,

[[Page 82329]]

the Exchange believes that the rules governing the SLP Pilot (NYSE Amex 
Equities Rule 107B) should be made permanent.
    Through this filing the Exchange seeks to extend the current 
operation of the SLP Pilot until July 31, 2012, in order to allow the 
Exchange to formally submit a filing to the Commission to convert the 
Pilot rule to a permanent rule. The Exchange is currently preparing a 
rule filing seeking permission to make the NYSE Amex Equities SLP Pilot 
permanent, but does not expect that filing to be completed and approved 
by the Commission before January 31, 2012.\11\
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    \11\ The NMM Pilot was scheduled to expire on January 31, 2012 
as well. On December 16, 2011, the NYSE filed to extend the NMM 
Pilot until July 31, 2012 (See SR-NYSE-2011-65) (extending the 
operation of the New Market Model Pilot to July 31, 2012).
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2. Statutory Basis
    The basis under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') 
for this proposed rule change is the requirement under Section 6(b)(5) 
that an exchange have rules that are 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 the instant filing is consistent with these principles 
because the SLP Pilot provides its market participants with a trading 
venue that utilizes an enhanced market structure to encourage the 
addition of liquidity and operates to reward aggressive liquidity 
providers. Moreover, the instant filing requesting an extension of the 
SLP Pilot will permit adequate time for: (i) The Exchange to prepare 
and submit a filing to make the rules governing the SLP Pilot 
permanent; (ii) public notice and comment; and (iii) completion of the 
19b-4 approval process.

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 that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

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 Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \12\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\13\ 
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 prior to 
30 days from the date on which it was filed, the proposed rule change 
has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 
Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder.
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    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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    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.

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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-NYSEAmex-2011-103 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-NYSEAmex-2011-103. 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 a.m. and 3 
p.m. Copies of the filing will also 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 publicly available. All submissions 
should refer to File Number SR-NYSEAmex-2011-103 and should be 
submitted on or before January 20, 2012.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority. \14\
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    \14\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-33579 Filed 12-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P