[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45404-45406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18553]



[[Page 45404]]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-67497; File No. SR-NYSEMKT-2012-25]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Notice of Filing and 
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Amending NYSE MKT Rule 
500--Equities To Extend the Operation of the Pilot Program That Allows 
Nasdaq Stock Market Securities To Be Traded on the Exchange Pursuant to 
a Grant of Unlisted Trading Privileges Until the Earlier of Securities 
and Exchange Commission Approval To Make Such Pilot Permanent or 
January 31, 2013

July 25, 2012.
    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 12, 2012, NYSE MKT LLC (``NYSE MKT'' 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 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\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 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 amend NYSE MKT Rule 500--Equities to 
extend the operation of the pilot program that allows Nasdaq Stock 
Market (``Nasdaq'') securities to be traded on the Exchange pursuant to 
a grant of unlisted trading privileges. The pilot is currently 
scheduled to expire on July 31, 2012; the Exchange proposes to extend 
it until the earlier of Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') approval to make such pilot permanent or January 31, 
2013. 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, 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 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
    NYSE MKT Rules 500-525--Equities, as a pilot program, govern the 
trading of any Nasdaq-listed security on the Exchange pursuant to 
unlisted trading privileges (``UTP Pilot Program'').\4\ The Exchange 
hereby seeks to extend the operation of the UTP Pilot Program, 
currently scheduled to expire on July 31, 2012, until the earlier of 
Commission approval to make such pilot permanent or January 31, 2013.
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    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62479 (July 9, 
2010), 75 FR 41264 (July 15, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-31). See also 
Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 62857 (September 7, 2010), 75 
FR 55837 (September 14, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-89); 63601 (December 
22, 2010), 75 FR 82117 (December 29, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-124); 
64746 (June 24, 2011), 76 FR 38446 (June 30, 2011) (SR-NYSEAmex-
2011-45); and 66040 (December 23, 2011), 76 FR 82324 (December 30, 
2011) (SR-NYSEAmex-2011-104).
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    The UTP Pilot Program includes any security listed on Nasdaq that 
(i) is designated as an ``eligible security'' under the Joint Self-
Regulatory Organization Plan Governing the Collection, Consolidation 
and Dissemination of Quotation and Transaction Information for Nasdaq-
Listed Securities Traded on Exchanges on an Unlisted Trading Privilege 
Basis, as amended (``UTP Plan''),\5\ and (ii) has been admitted to 
dealings on the Exchange pursuant to a grant of unlisted trading 
privileges in accordance with Section 12(f) of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended (the ``Act''),\6\ (collectively, ``Nasdaq 
Securities'').\7\
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    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58863 (October 27, 
2008), 73 FR 65417 (November 3, 2008) (File No. S7-24-89). The 
Exchange's predecessor, the American Stock Exchange LLC, joined the 
UTP Plan in 2001. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55647 
(April 19, 2007), 72 FR 20891 (April 26, 2007) (File No. S7-24-89). 
In March 2009, the Exchange changed its name to NYSE Amex LLC, and, 
in May 2012, the Exchange subsequently changed its name to NYSE MKT 
LLC. See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 59575 (March 13, 
2009), 74 FR 11803 (March 19, 2009) (SR-NYSEALTR-2009-24) and 67037 
(May 21, 2012), 77 FR 31415 (May 25, 2012) (SR-NYSEAmex-2012-32).
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78l.
    \7\ ``Nasdaq Securities'' is included within the definition of 
``security'' as that term is used in the NYSE MKT Equities Rules. 
See NYSE MKT Rule 3--Equities. In accordance with this definition, 
Nasdaq Securities are admitted to dealings on the Exchange on an 
``issued,'' ``when issued,'' or ``when distributed'' basis. See NYSE 
MKT Rule 501--Equities.
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    The Exchange notes that its New Market Model Pilot (``NMM Pilot''), 
which, among other things, eliminated the function of specialists on 
the Exchange and created a new category of market participant, the 
Designated Market Maker (``DMM''),\8\ is also scheduled to end on July 
31, 2012.\9\ The timing of the operation of the UTP Pilot Program was 
designed to correspond to that of the NMM Pilot. In approving the UTP 
Pilot Program, the Commission acknowledged that the rules relating to 
DMM benefits and duties in trading Nasdaq Securities on the Exchange 
pursuant to the UTP Pilot Program are consistent with the Act \10\ and 
noted the similarity to the NMM Pilot, particularly with respect to DMM 
obligations and benefits.\11\ Furthermore, the UTP Pilot Program rules 
pertaining to the assignment of securities to DMMs are substantially 
similar to the rules implemented through the NMM Pilot.\12\ The 
Exchange has similarly filed to extend the operation of the NMM Pilot 
until the earlier of Commission approval to make the NMM Pilot 
permanent or January 31, 2013.\13\
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    \8\ See NYSE MKT Rule 103--Equities.
    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60758 (October 1, 
2009), 74 FR 51639 (October 7, 2009) (SR-NYSEAmex-2009-65). See also 
Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 61030 (November 19, 2009), 74 
FR 62365 (November 27, 2009) (SR-NYSEAmex-2009-83); 61725 (March 17, 
2010), 75 FR 14223 (March 24, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-2010-28); 62820 
(September 1, 2010), 75 FR 54935 (September 9, 2010) (SR-NYSEAmex-
2010-86); 63615 (December 29, 2010), 76 FR 611 (January 5, 2011) 
(SR-NYSEAmex-2010-123); 64773 (June 29, 2011), 76 FR 39453 (July 6, 
2011) (SR-NYSEAmex-2011-43); and 66042 (December 23, 2011), 76 FR 
82326 (December 30, 2011) (SR-NYSEAmex-2011-102).
    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \11\ See SR-NYSEAmex-2010-31, supra note [4] [sic], at 41271.
    \12\ Id.
    \13\ See SR-NYSEMKT-2012-21.
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    Extension of the UTP Pilot Program in tandem with the NMM Pilot, 
both from July 31, 2012 until the earlier of Commission approval to 
make such pilots permanent or January 31, 2013, will provide for the 
uninterrupted trading of Nasdaq Securities on the Exchange on a UTP 
basis and thus continue to encourage the additional utilization of, and 
interaction with, the Exchange, and provide market participants with 
improved price discovery, increased liquidity, more competitive quotes 
and greater price improvement for Nasdaq Securities.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with

[[Page 45405]]

the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder 
applicable to a national securities exchange. In particular, the 
Exchange believes that its proposal to extend the UTP Pilot Program is 
consistent with (i) Section 6(b) of the Act,\14\ in general, and 
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\15\ in 
particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices, 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; (ii) Section 
11A(a)(1) of the Act,\16\ in that it seeks to ensure the economically 
efficient execution of securities transactions and fair competition 
among brokers and dealers and among exchange markets; and (iii) Section 
12(f) of the Act,\17\ which governs the trading of securities pursuant 
to UTP consistent with the maintenance of fair and orderly markets, the 
protection of investors and the public interest, and the impact of 
extending the existing markets for such securities.
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    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78k-1(a)(1).
    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78l(f).
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    Specifically, the Exchange believes that extending the UTP Pilot 
Program would provide for the uninterrupted trading of Nasdaq 
Securities on the Exchange on a UTP basis and thus continue to 
encourage the additional utilization of, and interaction with, the 
Exchange, thereby providing market participants with additional price 
discovery, increased liquidity, more competitive quotes and potentially 
greater price improvement for Nasdaq Securities. Additionally, under 
the UTP Pilot Program, Nasdaq Securities trade on the Exchange pursuant 
to rules governing the trading of Exchange-Listed securities that 
previously have been approved by the Commission. Accordingly, this 
proposed rule change would permit the Exchange to extend the 
effectiveness of the UTP Pilot Program in tandem with the NMM Pilot, 
which the Exchange has similarly proposed to extend until the earlier 
of Commission approval to make such pilot permanent or January 31, 
2013.\18\
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    \18\ See supra note 13.
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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 \19\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\20\ 
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.\21\
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    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \21\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 
requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the 
Exchange's 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.
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \22\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the 
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\23\ the Commission 
may 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 Commission believes 
that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest because such waiver 
would allow the pilot program to continue uninterrupted. Accordingly, 
the Commission hereby grants the Exchange's request and designates the 
proposal operative upon filing.\24\
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    \22\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \23\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \24\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
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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-NYSEMKT-2012-25 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-NYSEMKT-2012-25. 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 such 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 publicly available. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEMKT-2012-25 and should 
be submitted on or before August 21, 2012.


[[Page 45406]]


    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\25\
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    \25\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-18553 Filed 7-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P