[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57913-57916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22911]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-70416; File No. SR-Phlx-2013-92]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend 
Pricing Schedule Sections II and IV

September 16, 2013.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on September 3, 2013, NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 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 Pricing Schedule by waiving the 
Broker-Dealer Floor Options Transaction Charge (including the Cabinet 
Options Transaction Charge) as well as the Broker-Dealer FLEX 
transaction fee, for members executing facilitation orders pursuant to 
Exchange Rule 1064 when such members would otherwise incur these 
charges or this fee for trading in their own proprietary account contra 
to a Customer (a ``BD-Customer Facilitation'') if the member's BD-
Customer Facilitation average daily volume (including both FLEX and 
non-FLEX transactions) exceeds 10,000 contracts per day in a given 
month.

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 the proposed rule change is to amend the Exchange's 
Pricing Schedule with respect to certain pricing in Section II entitled 
``Multiply Listed Options Fees,'' and in Section IV.B, entitled FLEX 
Transaction Fees, in the case of BD-Customer Facilitations as described 
below.
Broker-Dealer Floor Options Transaction Charges \3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Broker-Dealer Floor Options Transaction Charge and Firm 
Floor Options Transaction Charge in this discussion include the 
Cabinet Options Transaction Charge.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange currently assesses Broker-Dealer Floor Options 
Transaction Charges \4\ of $0.25 per contract for both Penny Pilot and 
non-Penny Pilot options. Similarly, the Exchange assesses Firm Floor 
Options Transaction Charges \5\ of $0.25 per contract for both Penny 
Pilot and non-Penny Pilot options, but it waives these charges for 
members executing facilitation orders pursuant to Exchange Rule 1064 
when such members are trading in their own proprietary account.\6\ The 
Exchange is now proposing to also waive the Broker-Dealer Floor Options 
Transaction Charge for members executing BD-Customer Facilitations if 
the member's BD-Customer Facilitation average daily volume exceeds 
10,000 contracts per day (the ``Minimum ADV'') in a given month 
(including both FLEX and non-FLEX transactions) when such members are 
trading in their own proprietary account.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The term ``Broker-Dealer'' applies to any transaction which 
is not subject to any of the other transaction fees applicable 
within a particular category.
    \5\ The term ``Firm'' applies to any transaction that is 
identified by a member or member organization for clearing in the 
Firm range at OCC. The waiver does not apply to orders where a 
member is acting as agent on behalf of a non-member.
    \6\ See Exchange Rule 1064 entitled ``Crossing, Facilitation and 
Solicited Orders.'' A facilitation occurs when a floor broker holds 
an options order for a public customer and a contra-side order for 
the same option series and, after providing an opportunity for all 
persons in the trading crowd to participate in the transaction, 
executes both orders as a facilitation cross. The Exchange's waiver 
of the Firm Floor Options Transaction Charges includes Cabinet 
Option Transaction Charges.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On occasion, a Broker-Dealer will facilitate orders on behalf of 
its Customers.\7\ The Broker-Dealer places both the Customer order and 
the Broker-Dealer's order with a floor broker for execution in open 
outcry. The Exchange believes that a transaction in which a Broker-
Dealer facilitates a Customer order should be treated in the same 
manner as a Firm facilitation transaction. To qualify for the free 
execution, the Broker-Dealer and the Customer must have the same Phlx 
house account number on both the buy and sell side of the transaction. 
This is the same treatment that applies to

[[Page 57914]]

pricing applicable to Firm Floor Options Transaction Charges for 
members executing facilitation orders when such members are trading in 
their own proprietary account.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ The term ``Customer'' applies to any transaction that is 
identified by a member or member organization for clearing in the 
Customer range at The Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') which 
is not for the account of broker or dealer or for the account of a 
``Professional'' (as that term is defined in Rule 1000(b)(14)).
    \8\ As noted above, Firm Floor Options Transaction Charges are 
waived for members executing facilitation orders pursuant to 
Exchange Rule 1064 when such members are trading in their own 
proprietary account (including Cabinet Options Transaction Charges).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLEX Transaction Fees
    The Exchange currently assesses Firm FLEX Transaction Fees of $0.15 
per contract as well as Broker-Dealer FLEX Transaction Fees, also $0.15 
per contract, for FLEX transactions in multiple listed options. The 
Exchange waives the Firm FLEX Transaction Fee for members executing 
facilitation orders pursuant to Exchange Rule 1064 when such members 
are trading in their own proprietary account. The Exchange is now 
proposing to waive the Broker-Dealer FLEX Transaction Fee as well for 
BD-Customer Facilitations, if the member's BD-Customer Facilitation 
average daily volume (including both FLEX and non-FLEX transactions) 
exceeds the Minimum ADV.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal to amend its Pricing 
Schedule is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act \9\ in general, and 
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act \10\ in 
particular, in that it is an equitable allocation of reasonable fees 
and other charges among Exchange members and other persons using its 
facilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that not charging a member the Broker-Dealer 
Floor Options Transaction Charge for transactions in which it 
facilitates a Customer order, provided it meets the Minimum ADV, is 
reasonable because it will encourage the member to facilitate Customer 
orders and increase participation in open outcry, which will in turn 
promote liquidity on the Exchange. Customer order flow brings unique 
benefits to the market which benefits all market participants through 
increased liquidity. In addition, the proposed rule change is 
reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly discriminatory because Broker-
Dealers facilitating Customer orders are performing essentially the 
same business as Firm facilitation orders.
    The Exchange believes that not charging a member the Broker-Dealer 
Floor Options Transaction Charge for transactions in which it 
facilitates a Customer order, provided it meets the Minimum ADV, is 
equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because Broker-Dealers will 
continue to be assessed a higher fee than a Customer who pays no fee to 
transact Floor Penny Pilot or Non-Penny Pilot Options. Broker-Dealers 
will continue to be assessed higher fees than Specialists and Market 
Makers in Floor Penny Pilot Options and Non-Penny Pilot Options \11\ 
because Specialists and Market Makers have obligations to the market 
and regulatory requirements, which normally do not apply to other 
market participants. They have obligations to make continuous markets, 
engage in a course of dealings reasonably calculated to contribute to 
the maintenance of a fair and orderly market, and not make bids or 
offers or enter into transactions that are inconsistent with a course 
of dealings. The proposed differentiation as between Customers, 
Specialists and Market Makers and other market participants recognizes 
the differing contributions made to the liquidity and trading 
environment on the Exchange by these market participants, as well as 
the differing mix of orders entered. Broker-Dealers, Firms and 
Professionals \12\ today all pay a $0.25 per contract Floor Penny Pilot 
and Non-Penny Pilot Options Transaction Charge. Professionals have 
access to more information and technological advantages as compared to 
Customers and Professionals do not bear the obligations of Specialists 
or Market Makers. Also, Professionals engage in trading activity 
similar to that conducted by Specialists or Market Makers. For example, 
Professionals continue to join bids and offers on the Exchange and thus 
compete for incoming order flow. For these reasons, the Exchange 
assesses Professionals the same Floor Options Transaction Charges as 
Firms and Broker-Dealers. Today, the Firm Floor Options Transaction 
Charge of $0.25 per contract for both Penny Pilot and Non-Penny Pilot 
options, is waived for members executing facilitation orders pursuant 
to Exchange Rule 1064 when such members are trading in their own 
proprietary account. The Exchange proposes to waive the Broker-Dealer 
Floor Options Transaction Charge of $0.25 per contract for both Penny 
Pilot and Non-Penny Pilot options for transactions in which it 
facilitates a Customer order, provided it meets the Minimum ADV. The 
Exchange believes this proposal narrows the current rate differentials 
between a Broker-Dealer and a Firm, where a Firm is entitled to a 
waiver today because the Exchange would waive the Broker-Dealer Floor 
Options Transaction Charge for members executing BD-Customer 
Facilitations if the member's BD-Customer Facilitation average daily 
volume exceeds 10,000 contracts per day in a given month. Offering 
Broker-Dealers and Firms such a waiver while not offering the waiver to 
Professionals is not unfairly discriminatory because unlike Firms and 
Broker-Dealers, Professionals do not facilitate orders as described in 
this proposal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Specialists and Market Makers are assessed Floor Penny 
Pilot and Non-Penny Pilot Options Transaction Charges of $0.25 per 
contract.
    \12\ The term ``professional'' means any person or entity that 
(i) is not a broker or dealer in securities, and (ii) places more 
than 390 orders in listed options per day on average during a 
calendar month for its own beneficial account(s). See Rule 
1000(b)(14).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that waiving the Broker-Dealer Floor Options 
Transaction Charge for members executing BD-Customer Facilitations if 
the member's BD-Customer Facilitation average daily volume exceeds 
10,000 contracts per day in a given month as compared to the electronic 
Options Transaction Charges in both Penny Pilot and Non-Penny Pilot 
options is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly discriminatory 
because these fees recognize the distinction between the floor order 
entry model and the electronic model and the proposed fees respond to 
competition along the same lines.\13\ Floor participants incur costs 
associated with accessing the floor, i.e. need for a floor broker, and 
other costs which are not born by electronic members. Today, the 
Exchange assesses different fees for electronic as compared to floor 
transactions for Professionals, Specialists \14\ and Market Makers,\15\ 
Broker-Dealers and Firms in Section II of the Pricing Schedule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ A transaction resulting from an order that was 
electronically delivered utilizes Phlx XL. See Exchange Rules 1014 
and 1080. Electronically delivered orders do not include orders 
transacted on the Exchange floor. A transaction resulting from an 
order that is non-electronically-delivered is represented on the 
trading floor by a floor broker. See Exchange Rule 1063. All orders 
will be either electronically or non-electronically delivered.
    \14\ A Specialist is an Exchange member who is registered as an 
options specialist pursuant to Rule 1020(a).
    \15\ A ``market maker'' includes Registered Options Traders 
(Rule 1014(b)(i) and (ii)), which includes Streaming Quote Traders 
(see Rule 1014(b)(ii)(A)) and Remote Streaming Quote Traders (see 
Rule 1014(b)(ii)(B)). Directed Participants are also market makers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange further believes the 10,000 contract minimum is 
reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly discriminatory because tiers 
are not novel and are applicable for different participants. For 
example, Firm electronic Options Transaction Charges in Penny Pilot and 
non-Penny Pilot

[[Page 57915]]

Options will be reduced to $0.17 per contract for a given month 
provided that a Firm has volume greater than 500,000 electronically-
delivered contracts in a month (``Electronic Firm Fee Discount''). The 
Electronic Firm Fee Discount will apply per member organization when 
such members are trading in their own proprietary account. The Exchange 
believes the proposed Minimum ADV is a reasonable and achievable 
standard for all members classified as Broker-Dealer, whereas a similar 
threshold was not needed for Firm because of the competitive 
environment in which the Exchange operates.
    The Exchange is waiving the Cabinet Options Transactions Charges 
for BD-Customer Facilitations because Cabinet Options Transactions 
Charges are also waived under the existing waiver applicable to Firm 
facilitations, in those cases where Cabinet Options Transactions 
Charges apply in lieu of the Floor Options Transaction Charges. The 
Exchange believes that waiving the Broker-Dealer FLEX Transaction Fee 
for transactions in which a member facilitates a Customer order, 
provided it meets the Minimum ADV, is reasonable because it will 
encourage the member to facilitate Customer orders. Customer order flow 
brings liquidity to the Exchange. The Exchange believes that waiving 
the Broker-Dealer FLEX Transaction Fee for transactions in which a 
member facilitates a Customer order, provided it meets the Minimum ADV, 
is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because Customers are not 
assessed a FLEX Transaction Fee. All other market participants are 
assessed a $0.15 per contract FLEX Transaction Fee. Today, the Firm 
FLEX Transaction Fee is waived for members executing facilitation 
orders pursuant to Exchange Rule 1064 when such members are trading in 
their own proprietary account. The Exchange proposes to waive the 
Broker-Dealer FLEX Transaction Fee as well for BD-Customer 
Facilitations, if the member's BD-Customer Facilitation average daily 
volume (including both FLEX and non-FLEX transactions) exceeds the 
Minimum ADV. This same treatment applies today to pricing applicable to 
Firm Floor Options Transaction Charges for members executing 
facilitation orders when such members are trading in their own 
proprietary account. The Exchange believes that offering Broker-Dealers 
the waiver of the FLEX Transaction Fee for facilitating a Customer 
order, provided it meets the Minimum ADV, is would provide these market 
participants, who also facilitate Customer orders and perform 
essentially the same business as a Firm in terms of facilitation 
orders, the opportunity to obtain the same waiver. The purpose of the 
waiver is to encourage the member to facilitate Customer orders and 
other market participants that are assessed a FLEX Transaction Fee, 
such as Professionals, Specialists and Market Makers, to engage in such 
activity.

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, because the proposed fee 
waivers would be available to any member with BD-Customer Facilitation 
Trades meeting the Minimum ADV, and because they will incentivize 
members to execute more such orders on the Exchange. To the extent that 
this purpose is achieved, all of the Exchange's market participants 
should benefit from the improved market liquidity.
    The Exchange operates in a highly competitive market, comprised of 
eleven [sic] exchanges, in which market participants can easily and 
readily direct Customer order flow to competing venues if they deem fee 
levels at a particular venue to be excessive or rebates to be 
inadequate. Accordingly, the fees that are assessed and the rebates 
paid by the Exchange described in the above proposal are influenced by 
these robust market forces and therefore must remain competitive with 
fees charged and rebates paid by other venues and therefore must 
continue to be reasonable and equitably allocated to those members that 
opt to direct Customer orders to the Exchange rather than competing 
venues.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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: (i) 
Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the 
protection of investors; or (iii) 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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-Phlx-2013-92 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.

9All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Phlx-2013-92. 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 Number SR-Phlx-

[[Page 57916]]

2013-92 and should be submitted on or before October 11, 2013.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-22911 Filed 9-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P