[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 239 (Thursday, December 12, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75633-75642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29616]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-71019; File No. SR-BSECC-2013-001]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston Stock Exchange Clearing 
Corporation; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of The NASDAQ OMX 
Group, Inc.

December 6, 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 November 27, 2013, the Boston Stock Exchange Clearing 
Corporation (``BSECC'') 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 BSECC. 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

    BSECC is filing this proposed rule change with respect to 
amendments of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the 
``Charter'') and By-Laws (the ``By-Laws'') of its parent corporation, 
The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (``NASDAQ

[[Page 75634]]

OMX'' or the ``Company''). The proposed amendments will be implemented 
on a date designated by NASDAQ OMX following approval by the 
Commission. The text of the proposed rule change is available on 
BSECC's Web site at http://nasdaqomxbx.cchwallstreet.com, at the 
principal office of BSECC, 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, BSECC 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. BSECC 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
    NASDAQ OMX is proposing to make certain amendments to its Charter 
and By-Laws.
(i) Background
    At NASDAQ OMX's 2012 annual meeting held on May 22, 2012, NASDAQ 
OMX's stockholders considered two proposals submitted by individual 
stockholders. The first proposal, which passed with 68% of the votes 
cast, requested that NASDAQ OMX's Board take steps to replace each 
supermajority voting standard in the Charter and By-Laws \3\ with a 
voting standard requiring a ``majority of votes cast.'' The second 
proposal, which did not pass but received 49% of the votes cast, 
requested that NASDAQ OMX's Board take steps to enable stockholders 
having at least one-tenth of NASDAQ OMX's voting power to call a 
special meeting of stockholders.
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    \3\ These provisions, which are described further below, require 
the affirmative vote of at least 66\2/3\% of the total voting power 
of the outstanding shares of NASDAQ OMX's capital stock to approve 
certain actions.
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    Following the 2012 annual meeting, the Nominating & Governance 
Committee of NASDAQ OMX's Board reviewed the voting results on the two 
stockholder proposals and discussed the stockholder voting standards 
and rights contemplated by the Charter and By-Laws. Following this 
review, the Nominating & Governance Committee recommended to the Board, 
and the Board approved, certain changes to the Charter and By-Laws to 
address the two stockholder proposals and make other changes. NASDAQ 
OMX now proposes to make these changes, which are described further 
below.
(ii) Proposed Amendments to Charter
(a) Removal and Replacement of Supermajority Voting Requirements
    To respond to feedback from its stockholders, NASDAQ OMX proposes 
to replace each supermajority voting requirement in the Charter with a 
``majority of outstanding shares'' voting requirement. The Charter 
currently includes the following three supermajority voting 
requirements.
     Removal of Directors. Article Fifth, Paragraph D provides 
that, except for directors elected by the holders of any series of 
preferred stock, any director, or the entire Board, may be removed from 
office at any time, but only by the affirmative vote of at least 66\2/
3\% of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of NASDAQ OMX's 
capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors 
(the ``Voting Stock''), voting together as a single class.
     Adoption, Alteration, Amendment and Repeal of By-Laws. 
Article Eighth, Paragraph A provides that the affirmative vote of the 
holders of at least 66\2/3\% of the total voting power of the 
outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be 
required in order for the stockholders to adopt, alter, amend or repeal 
any By-Law.
     Adoption, Alteration, Amendment and Repeal of Certain 
Charter Provisions. Article Ninth, Paragraph A provides that the 
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66\2/3\% of the voting 
power of the outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single 
class, shall be required to amend, repeal or adopt any provision 
inconsistent with paragraph C of Article Fourth,\4\ Article Fifth,\5\ 
Article Seventh,\6\ Article Eighth,\7\ or Article Ninth of the 
Charter.\8\
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    \4\ Paragraph C of Article Fourth sets forth the 5% voting 
limitation, which provides that holders of NASDAQ OMX's voting 
securities may not cast votes in excess of 5% of NASDAQ OMX's 
outstanding voting securities. To be clear, NASDAQ OMX is not 
proposing any change to the 5% voting limitation itself. NASDAQ OMX 
only proposes that any future amendment of the 5% voting limitation 
will require the approval of stockholders holding a majority of the 
outstanding shares, rather than stockholders holding 66\2/3\% of the 
outstanding shares.
    \5\ Article Fifth includes certain provisions relating to the 
Board, such as Board size and director elections.
    \6\ Article Seventh prohibits stockholder action by written 
consent.
    \7\ Article Eighth establishes the procedures to adopt, alter, 
amend or repeal the By-Laws.
    \8\ Article Ninth establishes the procedures to adopt, alter, 
amend or repeal the Charter.
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    In each of the three provisions described above, NASDAQ OMX 
proposes to remove the requirement for an affirmative vote of at least 
66\2/3\% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock and replace it 
with a voting standard requiring the affirmative vote of a majority of 
the outstanding Voting Stock. In developing this proposal, NASDAQ OMX 
considered the relative weight of the arguments for and against 
supermajority voting requirements. Historically, supermajority voting 
requirements have protected corporations against coercive takeover 
tactics by requiring broad stockholder support for certain types of 
transactions or governance changes. However, in recent years, corporate 
governance standards have evolved, and many stockholder rights 
advocates argue that supermajority voting requirements limit 
stockholders' participation in corporate governance. NASDAQ OMX 
believes that while it is important to protect against coercive 
takeover tactics, it is also critically important to obtain stockholder 
input and respond to stockholder concerns about corporate governance.
    NASDAQ OMX believes that the proposed ``majority of outstanding 
shares'' voting requirement will continue to provide some protection 
against proposals that are harmful to the stockholders. While this 
requirement is less difficult to satisfy than a supermajority voting 
requirement, it is more difficult to satisfy than a ``majority of votes 
cast'' requirement, which NASDAQ OMX considered as an alternate option. 
NASDAQ OMX believes that a ``majority of outstanding shares'' standard 
is a balanced outcome that responds to stockholder feedback while 
appropriately maintaining NASDAQ OMX's defensive posture against 
hostile takeovers.
(b) Non-Substantive Changes
    NASDAQ OMX also proposes to amend and restate the Charter to make 
other non-substantive changes. Specifically, the proposal deletes 
obsolete references to the following:
     The 3.75% Series A Convertible Notes due 2012 and the 
3.75% Series B Convertible Notes due 2012, which are no longer 
outstanding, in Article Fourth, Paragraph C and Article Eleventh;

[[Page 75635]]

     a voting trust agreement, which is no longer in effect, in 
Article Fourth, Paragraph C(3)(b)(iii);
     ownership of NASDAQ OMX securities by the National 
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., certain affiliates of Hellman 
& Friedman LLC, and certain affiliates of Silver Lake, none of which 
currently own any NASDAQ OMX securities, in Article Fourth, Paragraph 
C(6); \9\ and
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    \9\ NASDAQ OMX notes that the remaining text of Article Fourth, 
Paragraph C(6) of the Charter includes an obsolete cross-reference 
to Section 6(b) of Article Fourth, Paragraph C in the second 
sentence, which begins ``The Board, however, may not approve an 
exemption under Section 6(b). . . .'' NASDAQ OMX cannot correct this 
cross-reference, which should refer to Section 6 without further 
reference to a subsection (b), without seeking further approval of 
its stockholders, which would require NASDAQ OMX to call and hold a 
stockholder meeting. Generally, NASDAQ OMX holds stockholder 
meetings, which are time consuming and expensive, only once or twice 
a year. Moreover, it is atypical of a large public company like 
NASDAQ OMX to submit a proposal to its stockholders solely to 
correct a cross-reference in its Charter. However, NASDAQ OMX 
believes, following consultation with outside counsel, that it is 
clear, based on the drafting history of this provision, that the 
intent of the cross-reference is to refer to Section 6 of Article 
Fourth, Paragraph C of the Charter. In other words, the second 
sentence of Article Fourth, Paragraph C(6) should read: ``The Board, 
however, may not approve an exemption under Section 6: (i) for a 
registered broker or dealer or an Affiliate thereof or (ii) an 
individual or entity that is subject to a statutory disqualification 
under Section 3(a)(39) of the Exchange Act.'' Under no circumstances 
will NASDAQ OMX read the obsolete cross-reference to imply that the 
Board could grant an exemption to the ownership limitation in 
Article Fourth, Paragraph C(6) of the Charter for a registered 
broker or dealer or an Affiliate thereof, or an individual or entity 
that is subject to a statutory disqualification under Section 
3(a)(39) of the Exchange Act. NASDAQ OMX also notes that it is 
proposing amendments to Section 12.5 of the By-Laws to eliminate 
cross-references to subsection (b) of Article Fourth, Paragraph C(6) 
of the Charter. Finally, NASDAQ OMX notes that there are some 
differences in language between the second sentence of Article 
Fourth, Paragraph C(6) of the Charter and the second sentence of 
Section 12.5 of the By-Laws. To the extent that these differences 
would cause a difference in interpretation, NASDAQ OMX notes, 
following consultation with outside counsel, that the Charter 
language shall prevail. As soon as feasible, NASDAQ OMX plans to 
present a proposal to the stockholders to conform this provision of 
the Charter to the By-Laws.
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     the phase-out of the classified board structure, which was 
complete in 2007, in Article Fifth, Paragraph B.
    In Article Fifth, Paragraph B, the proposal also clarifies that the 
election of directors by stockholders shall occur at an annual or 
special meeting. The proposal corrects a typographical error in Article 
Fifth, Paragraph A and renumbers the provisions of the Charter, where 
necessary following the other amendments. Finally, the proposal amends 
the introductory and concluding language of the Charter to incorporate 
language that will be required under Delaware law when the amended and 
restated Charter is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of 
Delaware.\10\
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    \10\ See Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL.
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    The amendment and restatement of the Charter to incorporate these 
non-substantive changes will simplify and streamline the document.
(iii) Proposed Elimination of Certificate of Designation
    NASDAQ OMX proposes to eliminate its Certificate of Designation, 
Preferences and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the 
``Series A Convertible Preferred Stock''), and all matters set forth 
therein. The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock was created in 2009 
to facilitate the conversion of certain notes into common stock.\11\ 
The Company authorized 2 million shares of the Series A Convertible 
Preferred Stock and immediately issued 1.6 million of those shares to 
the converting noteholders.
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    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60845 (October 20, 
2009), 74 FR 55078 (October 26, 2009) (SR-BX-2009-061, SR-NASDAQ-
2009-087, SR-Phlx-2009-88); see also Securities Exchange Act Release 
No. 61000 (November 13, 2009), 74 FR 61390 (November 24, 2009) (SR-
BSECC-2009-005); see also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61001 
(November 13, 2009), 74 FR 61391 (November 24, 2009) (SR-SCCP-2009-
04).
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    In 2010, following stockholder approval, all 1.6 million issued 
shares of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into 
common stock. Since then, no shares of the Series A Convertible 
Preferred Stock have been outstanding, and the Company has no intention 
to issue further shares of this series.
    As a clean-up matter, the Company seeks to file a certificate of 
elimination with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to 
eliminate the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. Under Delaware law, 
a certificate of elimination is deemed to be an amendment to NASDAQ 
OMX's Charter; however, since the amendment is limited in scope, it 
does not require the approval of NASDAQ OMX's stockholders.\12\
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    \12\ See Section 151(g) of the DGCL.
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(iv) Proposed Amendments to the By-Laws
(a) Special Meetings of Stockholders
    Current Section 3.2 of NASDAQ OMX's By-Laws provides that only 
NASDAQ OMX may call special meetings of its stockholders.\13\ To 
respond to feedback from its stockholders, as discussed above, NASDAQ 
OMX proposes to delete this provision and replace it with language that 
will allow NASDAQ OMX's stockholders to call special meetings after 
following particular procedures. Similar to the elimination of 
supermajority voting requirements, which is discussed above, the 
implementation of the right of stockholders to call a special meeting 
has received recent attention from investor and corporate governance 
advocates. These advocates argue that such a right will enable 
stockholders to raise and act on matters that arise between annual 
meetings.
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    \13\ Under Delaware law, special meetings of a corporation's 
stockholders may be called by the board of directors or by such 
persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or 
the bylaws. See Section 211(d) of the DGCL.
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    Following discussions with some of its stockholders, NASDAQ OMX 
agrees that it is appropriate to allow stockholders who meet certain 
procedural requirements to call a special meeting. In proposing these 
procedural requirements, NASDAQ OMX's goals are to ensure timely notice 
of a meeting request and to gather sufficient information about the 
proposing stockholder(s) and the proposal. Among other things, this 
information will ensure that NASDAQ OMX is able to comply with its 
disclosure and other requirements under applicable law and that NASDAQ 
OMX, its Board and its stockholders are able to assess the proposal 
adequately. The proposed procedural requirements are set forth below.
    First, proposed Section 3.2(a) provides that special meetings of 
NASDAQ OMX's stockholders may only be called: (i) At any time by NASDAQ 
OMX's Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total 
number of directors NASDAQ OMX would have if there were no vacancies; 
and (ii) by NASDAQ OMX's Corporate Secretary following the receipt of a 
written request in proper form for a special meeting (a ``Special 
Meeting Request'') by one or more stockholders. Such stockholders (the 
``Requisite Holders'') must hold of record, in the aggregate, at least 
15 percent of NASDAQ OMX's outstanding shares of capital stock entitled 
to vote on matters to be brought before the special meeting (the 
``Requisite Percentage''). Such shares must be ``Net Long Shares,'' 
\14\

[[Page 75636]]

and the Requisite Holders must have held the shares continuously for at 
least one year as of the date of the Special Meeting Request. Whether 
shares constitute Net Long Shares shall ultimately be decided by NASDAQ 
OMX's Board in its reasonable determination. The intent of the 
requirement for stockholders to maintain a ``net long position'' is to 
limit the ability to call a special meeting to stockholders that have 
long-term record and economic positions in NASDAQ OMX.
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    \14\ For purposes of determining Requisite Holders under 
proposed Section 3.2, ``Net Long Shares'' shall be limited to the 
number of shares beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any 
stockholder or beneficial owner that constitute such person's ``net 
long position'' as defined in Rule 14e-4 under the Act, provided 
that (A) for the purposes of this definition, references in the rule 
to ``the date the tender offer is first publicly announced or 
otherwise made known by the bidder to the holders of the security to 
be acquired'' shall be the date of the relevant Special Meeting 
Request and all dates in the one year period prior thereto, the 
``highest tender offer price or stated amount of the consideration 
offered for the subject security'' shall refer to the closing sales 
price of NASDAQ OMX's capital stock on NASDAQ on such date (or, if 
such date is not a trading day, the next succeeding trading day), 
the ``person whose securities are the subject of the offer'' shall 
refer to NASDAQ OMX, a ``subject security'' shall refer to the 
issued and outstanding voting stock of NASDAQ OMX; and (B) the net 
long position of such stockholder shall be reduced by any shares as 
to which such person does not have the right to vote or direct the 
vote at the proposed special meeting or as to which such person has 
entered into a derivative or other agreement, arrangement or 
understanding that hedges or transfers, in whole or in part, 
directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of 
ownership of such shares. In addition, to the extent any affiliates 
of the stockholder or beneficial owner are acting in concert with 
the stockholder or beneficial owner with respect to the calling of 
the special meeting, the determination of Net Long Shares may 
include the effect of aggregating the Net Long Shares (including any 
negative number) of such affiliate or affiliates. See proposed 
Section 3.2(a) of the By-Laws.
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    Proposed Section 3.2(a) also sets forth the procedures for 
determining whether a special meeting has been requested by Requisite 
Holders representing in aggregate at least the Requisite Percentage if 
multiple Special Meeting Requests are delivered to NASDAQ OMX's 
Corporate Secretary. Multiple requests will be considered together only 
if: (i) Each Special Meeting Request identifies substantially the same 
purpose or purposes of the special meeting and substantially the same 
matters proposed to be acted on at the requested special meeting (in 
each case as determined in good faith by NASDAQ OMX's Board); and (ii) 
such Special Meeting Requests have been dated and delivered to NASDAQ 
OMX's Corporate Secretary within 60 days of the earliest dated Special 
Meeting Request. NASDAQ OMX believes these procedures are reasonable 
and clear and notes that they grant only limited discretion to NASDAQ 
OMX's Board in determining whether Special Meeting Requests will be 
considered together.
    Pursuant to proposed Section 3.2(b), if a Special Meeting Request 
is in proper form, NASDAQ OMX's Board shall determine the place, if 
any, date and time of the special meeting, and NASDAQ OMX's Corporate 
Secretary shall call the special meeting within 120 days after the date 
the Special Meeting Request was delivered. However, NASDAQ OMX's Board 
may, in lieu of calling a special meeting, present an identical or 
substantially similar item of business (a ``Similar Item''),\15\ as 
determined in good faith by NASDAQ OMX's Board, for stockholder 
approval at any other meeting of the stockholders that is held not less 
than 120 days after the delivery of the Special Meeting Request. The 
intent of this provision is to save NASDAQ OMX the time and expense of 
calling and holding a special meeting if NASDAQ OMX intends to hold a 
separate stockholders' meeting within 120 days. In fixing the place, if 
any, date and time for any special meeting, NASDAQ OMX's Board may 
consider such factors as it deems relevant in its business judgment, 
including the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and 
circumstances surrounding any request for a meeting and any plan of the 
Board to call an annual meeting or a special meeting.
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    \15\ Under proposed Section 3.2(b) of the By-Laws, the election 
of directors shall be deemed a ``Similar Item'' with respect to all 
items of business involving the nomination, election or removal of 
directors.
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    Proposed Section 3.2(c) sets forth certain limitations on Special 
Meeting Requests. Specifically, a Special Meeting Request will not be 
valid if:
     It relates to an item of business that is not a proper 
subject for stockholder action under applicable law;
     it is delivered during the period commencing 90 days prior 
to the one-year anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding 
annual meeting and ending on the date of the next annual meeting;
     a Similar Item was presented at any meeting of 
stockholders held within 120 days prior to the date on which the 
Special Meeting Request was delivered; or
     a Similar Item is included in NASDAQ OMX's notice of 
meeting as an item of business to be presented at a stockholder's 
meeting that has been called but not yet held.
    The Board may adjourn or reschedule any previously scheduled 
special meeting of the stockholders. NASDAQ OMX believes the subject 
matter limitations set forth in proposed Section 3.2(c) are appropriate 
in order to comply with applicable law and to prevent multiple 
considerations of the same item of business. NASDAQ OMX believes the 
time limits set forth in proposed Section 3.2(c) are appropriate to 
ensure that NASDAQ OMX is not required to incur the time and expense of 
calling and holding a special meeting of stockholders immediately prior 
to an upcoming annual meeting of stockholders or if a Similar Item of 
business already has been presented at a recent stockholders' meeting.
    To be in proper form, a Special Meeting Request must comply with 
certain requirements, as described further below.\16\ NASDAQ OMX's 
Board will have the sole discretion to determine whether a Special 
Meeting Request is in proper form.\17\ Proposed Section 3.2(d) sets 
forth the requirements for a Special Meeting Request to be in proper 
form. These proposed requirements will ensure that NASDAQ OMX has 
sufficient information to comply with its disclosure requirements under 
applicable law and that the Requisite Holders maintain a sufficient 
ownership level through the date of the special meeting. Specifically, 
a Special Meeting Request shall:
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    \16\ See proposed Section 3.2(a) of the By-Laws.
    \17\ Id.
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     Be in writing, signed by each Requesting Person \18\ and 
delivered to NASDAQ OMX's Corporate Secretary at NASDAQ OMX's principal 
executive offices;
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    \18\ ``Requesting Person'' means (i) each Requisite Holder, (ii) 
the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose 
behalf the Special Meeting Request is being delivered to NASDAQ 
OMX's Corporate Secretary and (iii) any affiliate or associate of 
such stockholder or beneficial owner. See proposed Section 3.2(e) of 
the By-Laws.
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     set forth certain information with respect to (i) each 
person the Requesting Person proposes to nominate for director, (ii) 
any business the Requesting Person proposes to bring before the meeting 
and (iii) each Requesting Person; \19\ and
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    \19\ The information required is the same information required 
from Proposing Persons with respect to nominations or items of 
business to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders and 
is described in detail in Section (iv)(b) below.
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     include (i) an agreement by each Requisite Holder to 
immediately deliver written notice to NASDAQ OMX's Corporate Secretary 
in the case of any disposition, on or prior to the record date for the 
special meeting, of any shares of NASDAQ OMX's capital stock held of 
record by such Requisite Holder and (ii) an acknowledgement that (1) 
any such disposition shall be deemed a revocation of the Special 
Meeting Request to the extent of such disposition and (2) if, following 
such deemed revocation, the Requisite Holders hold of record, in the 
aggregate, less than the Requisite Percentage of the voting power of 
all outstanding shares of

[[Page 75637]]

NASDAQ OMX's capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election 
of directors, NASDAQ OMX shall have no obligation to hold the special 
meeting.
    Proposed Section 3.2(f) provides that at any special meeting of the 
stockholders, the only business to be conducted or considered will have 
been specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) 
given by or at the direction of NASDAQ OMX's Board or Corporate 
Secretary, as the case may be. In any event, however, NASDAQ OMX's 
Board may submit its own proposal or proposals for consideration at a 
special meeting. Except as otherwise allowed under proposed Section 
3.2, stockholders will not be permitted to propose business to be 
brought before a special meeting of the stockholders. NASDAQ OMX 
believes these provisions are reasonable and necessary to limit the 
items of business that may be considered at a special meeting to those 
that were proposed by the Company, the Board or stockholders that 
comply with the requirements and procedures set forth in the By-Laws.
    Proposed Section 3.2(g) will require the Requisite Holders giving a 
Special Meeting Request to further update and supplement the request, 
if necessary, so that the information in the request is true and 
correct as of the record date for the special meeting and as of the 
10th business day prior to the special meeting or any adjournment or 
postponement thereof. This requirement will ensure that NASDAQ OMX, its 
Board and its other stockholders are notified of changes to the 
information they will consider in assessing a proposed item of business 
prior to the special meeting. In the case of an update and supplement 
required to be made as of the record date, the update and supplement 
must be delivered to NASDAQ OMX's Corporate Secretary no later than the 
fifth business day after the record date for the special meeting. In 
the case of an update and supplement required to be made as of the 10th 
business day prior to the special meeting or any adjournment or 
postponement thereof, the update and supplement must be delivered to 
NASDAQ OMX's Corporate Secretary no later than the eighth business day 
prior to the date for the special meeting or, if practical, any 
adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the 
first practicable date prior to the date to which the special meeting 
has been adjourned or postponed).
    Proposed Section 3.2(h) will allow the Requisite Holders to revoke 
a Special Meeting Request by written revocation delivered to NASDAQ OMX 
at any time prior to the special meeting requested. However, NASDAQ 
OMX's Board will have the discretion to determine whether or not to 
proceed with the special meeting. The Board might wish to continue with 
the special meeting if, for example, the Company has already spent the 
time and expense required to call the meeting or if the agenda for the 
meeting includes items other than those proposed in the Special Meeting 
Request.
    Finally, NASDAQ OMX proposes to designate as Section 3.2(i) 
existing text that sets forth the requirements for stockholders to 
submit nominees for election as directors at certain stockholder 
meetings. NASDAQ OMX further proposes to make a minor change to this 
text to clarify that NASDAQ OMX's Board, rather than the Company 
itself, will call a special meeting on behalf of the Company.
(b) Annual Meetings of Stockholders
    Section 3.1 of NASDAQ OMX's By-Laws, which is the ``advance 
notice'' provision,\20\ requires stockholders to notify NASDAQ OMX, 
during a specified period in advance of an annual meeting, of their 
intention to nominate one or more persons for election to the Board or 
to present a business proposal for consideration by the stockholders at 
the meeting. While designing the proposed procedural requirements for 
stockholders to call a special meeting, as outlined above, NASDAQ OMX 
evaluated the existing procedural requirements for stockholders to 
bring business before an annual meeting. NASDAQ OMX is therefore 
proposing changes to some of these procedures to enhance them and 
conform them, in some cases, to the procedures relating to special 
meetings. Generally, the proposed amendments add requirements for 
extensive disclosures by proposing stockholders about themselves, any 
proposed nominees for director and any proposed items of business to be 
brought before a meeting. The specific amendments are discussed in 
detail below.
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    \20\ ``Advance notice'' provisions allow stockholder(s) to bring 
business before an annual meeting of stockholders, but set forth 
procedural requirements to ensure that companies and boards have 
sufficient information about the proposal and the proposing 
stockholder(s), as well as adequate time to consider the proposal, 
by requiring the proposing stockholder(s) to give advance notice of 
the intention to bring the proposal before the annual meeting.
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    First, Section 3.1(a) of the By-Laws currently states that 
nominations of persons for election to NASDAQ OMX's Board and the 
proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders at an 
annual meeting of stockholders may be made only: (i) Pursuant to the 
Company's notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto); (ii) by or at 
the direction of NASDAQ OMX's Board or its Nominating & Governance 
Committee; or (iii) by any stockholder of the Company that meets 
certain requirements. These requirements state that the stockholder 
must: (i) Be a stockholder of record at the time of delivery of notice 
to the Company of nominees or other business to be conducted at the 
meeting; (ii) be entitled to vote at the meeting; and (iii) comply with 
the notice procedures set forth in the By-Laws. NASDAQ OMX proposes to 
add a parenthetical to the requirement that a stockholder must be a 
stockholder of record to clarify that a nomination or proposal of other 
business may be made on behalf of a beneficial owner, if different from 
the stockholder of record, only if the beneficial owner is the 
beneficial owner of NASDAQ OMX shares. This modification will clarify 
that both record and beneficial owners of NASDAQ OMX stock have the 
right to propose nominees or business to be considered at an annual 
meeting. NASDAQ OMX further proposes that a stockholder who proposes 
nominees or business to be considered at an annual meeting must hold 
shares in the Company at the time of the meeting, in addition to the 
time of delivery of the required notice to the Company. This will 
ensure that a stockholder retains an interest in the Company until the 
meeting at which the stockholder's nominee or other business is 
considered. Finally, NASDAQ OMX proposes to number the procedural 
requirements for stockholders who propose nominees or business to make 
them easier to understand.
    Currently, Section 3.1(b) of the By-Laws sets forth the 
requirements for a stockholder's notice to NASDAQ OMX of nominations or 
other business to be considered at an annual meeting. NASDAQ OMX 
proposes certain amendments to this section to ensure that NASDAQ OMX 
has sufficient information about such nominations or other business 
proposed by a stockholder to enable the Company, the Board and the 
other stockholders to assess a position on the nominations or other 
business. The additional information requirements will also ensure that 
NASDAQ OMX can make adequate disclosures to its stockholders and comply 
with requirements under applicable law.
    Specifically, NASDAQ OMX proposes an amendment to the first 
paragraph of this section to require a stockholder who provides a 
notice relating to a

[[Page 75638]]

nomination to include with the notice, a completed and signed 
questionnaire, representation and agreement relating to the nominee(s) 
for director.\21\ NASDAQ OMX also proposes to require a stockholder who 
provides a notice to further update and supplement the notice, if 
necessary, so that the information in the notice is true and correct as 
of the record date for the annual meeting and as of the 10th business 
day prior to the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement 
thereof.\22\ This requirement will ensure that NASDAQ OMX, its Board 
and its other stockholders are notified of changes to the information 
they will consider in assessing a proposed item of business prior to 
the annual meeting. In the case of an update and supplement required to 
be made as of the record date, the update and supplement must be 
delivered to NASDAQ OMX's Corporate Secretary no later than the fifth 
business day after the record date for the annual meeting. In the case 
of an update and supplement required to be made as of the 10th business 
day prior to the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement 
thereof, the update and supplement must be delivered to NASDAQ OMX's 
Corporate Secretary no later than the eighth business day prior to the 
date for the annual meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or 
postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable 
date prior to the date to which the annual meeting has been adjourned 
or postponed).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ The contents of and rationale for the questionnaire, 
representation and agreement are discussed further in Section 
(iv)(c) below.
    \22\ NASDAQ OMX notes that this proposal is similar to proposed 
Section 3.2(g) of the By-Laws, which requires updates and 
supplements to a stockholder notice relating to a special meeting. 
This proposed change is discussed further in Section (iv)(a) above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 3.1(b)(i) of the By-Laws currently sets forth the 
information that a stockholder must provide to NASDAQ OMX about each 
person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a 
director. NASDAQ OMX proposes changes to this section to use the 
defined term ``Proposing Person'' instead of stockholder,\23\ to 
require information with respect to nominees for reelection as well as 
nominees for election, to correct a reference to the Act and to add 
numbering and other organizational changes to make the requirements 
easier to read and understand. NASDAQ OMX also proposes to require the 
same information with respect to a proposed nominee that will be 
required with respect to a Proposing Person, as discussed further 
below. In addition, NASDAQ OMX proposes to add two new informational 
requirements for proposed nominees, including:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ ``Proposing Person'' means (i) the stockholder providing 
the notice of business or the notice of the nomination, as 
applicable, proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, (ii) 
any beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose 
behalf such business is proposed to be brought before the meeting or 
the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting is 
made, as applicable, and (iii) any affiliate or associate (each 
within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Act for purposes of the 
By-Laws) of such stockholder or beneficial owner. See proposed 
Section 3.1(c) of the By-Laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     A description of all direct and indirect compensation and 
other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings 
during the past three years, and any other material relationships, 
between or among any Proposing Person, on the one hand, and such 
proposed nominee and any of his or her respective affiliates and 
associates, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all 
information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 
under Regulation S-K if such Requesting Person were the ``registrant'' 
for purposes of such rule and the proposed nominee were a director or 
executive officer of such registrant; and
     a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and 
agreement.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ The contents of and rationale for the questionnaire, 
representation and agreement are discussed further in Section 
(iv)(c) below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, NASDAQ OMX proposes to add a catch-all provision to 
Section 3.1(b)(i) of the By-Laws that will allow the Company to require 
any proposed nominee to furnish such other information (i) as the 
Company may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such 
proposed nominee to serve as a director or (ii) that could be material 
to a reasonable stockholder's understanding of the independence, or 
lack of independence, of such proposed nominee. NASDAQ OMX believes 
that all of the new information requirements included in proposed 
Section 3.1(b)(i) are reasonable and necessary in order to assist the 
Company in evaluating director eligibility, independence and potential 
conflicts of interest.
    Section 3.1(b)(ii) of the By-Laws currently sets forth the 
information that a stockholder must provide to NASDAQ OMX about any 
business, other than nominations for director, that the stockholder 
proposes to bring before an annual meeting. NASDAQ OMX proposes changes 
to this section to require that the description of the proposed 
business be reasonably detailed, to use the defined term ``Proposing 
Person'' instead of stockholder and beneficial owner in certain places 
and to add numbering, reordering and other organizational changes to 
make the requirements easier to read and understand. NASDAQ OMX also 
proposes to add a new requirement for a stockholder to provide a 
reasonably detailed description of all contracts, agreements, 
arrangements and understandings between or among any of the Proposing 
Persons or between or among any Proposing Person in connection with the 
proposal. NASDAQ OMX believes this information will be useful in 
assessing the aims and incentives of Proposing Persons in proposing 
business before an annual meeting.
    Section 3.1(b)(iii) of the By-Laws currently sets forth the 
information that a stockholder who proposes nominee(s) for director or 
other business to be put forth before an annual meeting must provide to 
NASDAQ OMX about such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on 
whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made. NASDAQ OMX proposes 
changes to this section to use the defined term ``Proposing Person'' 
instead of stockholder and beneficial owner in certain places and to 
add numbering, reordering and other organizational changes to make the 
requirements easier to read and understand.
    Relating to the existing requirement in Section 3.1(b)(iii)(B) that 
a proposing stockholder describe the class or series and number of 
shares of NASDAQ OMX capital stock owned beneficially and of record by 
such stockholder and the beneficial owner, NASDAQ OMX proposes to add a 
parenthetical stating that beneficial ownership shall be determined 
within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Act. NASDAQ OMX also 
proposes to state that a Proposing Person shall in all events be deemed 
to beneficially own any shares of any class or series of NASDAQ OMX's 
capital stock as to which such person has a right to acquire beneficial 
ownership at any time in the future. These proposed changes merely 
clarify how the concept of beneficial ownership will be interpreted 
under this section of the By-Laws.
    Current Section 3.1(b)(iii)(D) requires proposing stockholders to 
describe to NASDAQ OMX any agreement, arrangement or understanding 
(including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, 
options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or 
similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) 
that has been entered into as of the date of the notice by the 
stockholder

[[Page 75639]]

and the beneficial owners with respect to NASDAQ OMX's stock. Given the 
increased complexity of such transactions in today's marketplace, 
NASDAQ OMX proposes to replace the current language with a similar 
requirement for disclosure of any Synthetic Equity Interest,\25\ 
without regard to whether: (i) The derivative, swap or other 
transaction or series of transactions conveys any voting rights in such 
shares to the Proposing Person; (ii) the derivative, swap or other 
transaction or series of transactions is required to be, or is capable 
of being, settled through delivery of such shares; or (iii) the 
Proposing Person may have entered into other transactions that hedge or 
mitigate the economic effect of such derivative, swap or other 
transaction or series of transactions. This proposed provision will 
assist NASDAQ OMX, its Board and its other stockholders in 
understanding a Proposing Person's full economic interests in NASDAQ 
OMX and possible aims and incentives in submitting the proposed 
business for consideration at an annual meeting.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ ``Synthetic Equity Interest'' shall mean any derivative, 
swap or other transaction (including any short positions, profit 
interest, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock 
appreciation or similar rights) or series of transactions engaged 
in, directly or indirectly, by a Proposing Person, the purpose or 
effect of which is to give the Proposing Person economic risk 
similar to ownership of shares of any class or series of NASDAQ OMX, 
including due to the fact that the value of such derivative, swap or 
other transaction or series of transactions is determined by 
reference to the price, value or volatility of any shares of any 
class or series of NASDAQ OMX, or which derivative, swap or other 
transaction or series of transactions provides, directly or 
indirectly, the opportunity to profit from any increase in the price 
or value of shares of any class or series of NASDAQ OMX. See 
proposed Section 3.1(b)(iii)(D) of the By-Laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For this same reason, NASDAQ OMX also proposes to add several new 
disclosures that a Proposing Person must include in a notice to NASDAQ 
OMX regarding nominees or other business to be conducted at an annual 
meeting. These include disclosures regarding:
     Any proxy (other than a revocable proxy or consent given 
in response to a solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, 
Section 14(a) of the Act by way of a solicitation statement filed on 
Schedule 14A), agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship 
pursuant to which the Proposing Person has or shares a right to vote 
any shares of any class or series of NASDAQ OMX; \26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ See proposed Section 3.1(b)(iii)(E) of the By-Laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     any proportionate interest in NASDAQ OMX shares or 
Synthetic Equity Interest held, directly or indirectly, by a general or 
limited partnership in which the Proposing Person is a general partner 
or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general 
partner; \27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ See proposed Section 3.1(b)(iii)(F) of the By-Laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     any agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship, 
including any repurchase or similar so-called ``stock borrowing'' 
agreement or arrangement, entered into or engaged in, directly or 
indirectly, by the Proposing Person, the purpose or effect of which is 
to mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or 
otherwise) of shares of any class or series of NASDAQ OMX by, manage 
the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting 
power of, the Proposing Person with respect to shares of any class or 
series of NASDAQ OMX, or that provides, directly or indirectly, the 
opportunity to profit from any decrease in the price or value of shares 
of any class or series of NASDAQ OMX (any of the foregoing, a ``Short 
Interest''); \28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ See proposed Section 3.1(b)(iii)(G) of the By-Laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based 
fee) to which the Proposing Person is entitled based on any increase or 
decrease in the price or value of shares of any class or series of 
NASDAQ OMX, or any Synthetic Equity Interest or Short Interest; \29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ See proposed Section 3.1(b)(iii)(H) of the By-Laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     any significant equity interest or any Synthetic Equity 
Interest or Short Interest in any principal competitor of NASDAQ OMX 
held by the Proposing Person; \30\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ See proposed Section 3.1(b)(iii)(I) of the By-Laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     any direct or indirect interest of the Proposing Person in 
any contract with NASDAQ OMX, any affiliate of NASDAQ OMX or any 
principal competitor of NASDAQ OMX (including, in any such case, any 
employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting 
agreement); \31\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ See proposed Section 3.1(b)(iii)(J) of the By-Laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     any pending or threatened litigation in which the 
Proposing Person is a party or material participant involving NASDAQ 
OMX or any of its officers or directors, or any affiliate of NASDAQ 
OMX; \32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ See proposed Section 3.1(b)(iii)(K) of the By-Laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     any material transaction occurring, in whole or in part, 
during the then immediately preceding 12-month period between such 
Proposing Person, on the one hand, and NASDAQ OMX, any affiliate of 
NASDAQ OMX or any principal competitor of NASDAQ OMX, on the other 
hand; \33\ and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ See proposed Section 3.1(b)(iii)(L) of the By-Laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     any other information relating to the Proposing Person 
required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required 
to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as 
applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in an 
election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of 
the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ See proposed Section 3.1(b)(iii)(M) of the By-Laws. NASDAQ 
OMX also proposes to include an exception to each of the 
aforementioned disclosure requirements for any disclosures with 
respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, 
dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a 
Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder 
directed to prepare and submit the notice required by the By-Laws on 
behalf of a beneficial owner.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(c) Questionnaire, Representation and Agreement for Director-Nominees
    NASDAQ OMX proposes to add a new Section 3.5 to its By-Laws to 
require nominees for director to deliver to NASDAQ OMX, in accordance 
with the time periods prescribed for delivery of a stockholder's 
notice: (i) A written questionnaire with respect to the background and 
qualifications of the nominee; and (ii) a written representation and 
agreement as to certain matters. Specifically, the written 
representation and agreement will provide that the nominee:
     Is not and will not become a party to (i) any agreement as 
to how the nominee will act or vote on any issue or question (a 
``Voting Commitment'') that has not been fully disclosed to NASDAQ OMX 
or (ii) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with the 
nominee's fiduciary duties under applicable law;
     is not and will not become a party to any agreement with 
any person other than NASDAQ OMX with respect to any direct or indirect 
compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with 
service or action as a director of NASDAQ OMX that has not been fully 
disclosed to NASDAQ OMX;
     would be in compliance, if elected, and will comply, with 
the provisions of NASDAQ OMX's By-Laws relating to qualifications of 
directors, conflicts of interest and contracts and transactions 
involving directors; and
     in such proposed nominee's individual capacity and on 
behalf of any person on whose behalf the nomination is made, would be 
in compliance, if

[[Page 75640]]

elected, and will comply, with NASDAQ OMX's Corporate Governance 
Guidelines, Board of Director Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics, 
including all applicable, publicly disclosed conflict of interest, 
confidentiality, stock ownership and insider trading policies and 
guidelines.
    The requirements of proposed Section 3.5 of the By-Laws, which will 
apply to both the Company's and stockholders' nominees for director, 
will ensure that NASDAQ OMX has the necessary information about 
nominees to fulfill its public disclosure requirements. The 
requirements also will ensure that nominees will comply with the legal 
obligations, policies and procedures applicable to all NASDAQ OMX 
directors.
(d) Removal and Replacement of Supermajority Voting Provisions
    Consistent with the proposed amendments to remove and replace the 
supermajority voting provisions in the Charter discussed above, NASDAQ 
OMX proposes to amend each provision of the By-Laws that currently 
requires a supermajority vote of stockholders to instead require a 
``majority of votes outstanding.'' NASDAQ OMX's By-Laws currently 
include the following two supermajority voting requirements, each of 
which conforms with an analogous provision in the Charter.
     Removal of Directors. Section 4.6 provides that any or all 
of the directors may be removed from office at any time by the 
affirmative vote of at least 66\2/3\% of the total voting power of the 
Voting Stock, voting together as a single class.\35\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ This provision is analogous to Article Fifth, Paragraph D 
of the Charter, which is discussed under Section (ii)(a) above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Adoption, Alteration, Amendment and Repeal of By-Laws. 
Section 11.1 provides that the By-Laws may be altered amended or 
repealed, or new By-Laws may be adopted, at any meeting of the 
stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66\2/
3\% of the voting power of the Voting Stock, voting together as a 
single class.\36\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ This provision is analogous to Article Eighth, Paragraph A 
of the Charter, which is discussed under Section (ii)(a) above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To conform with the proposed changes to the Charter, NASDAQ OMX 
proposes to replace each of these supermajority voting requirements 
with a voting standard requiring the affirmative vote of a majority of 
the outstanding Voting Stock. As discussed above with respect to the 
analogous Charter amendments, NASDAQ OMX believes that a ``majority of 
outstanding shares'' standard reflects a balanced approach that 
responds to stockholder feedback while appropriately maintaining NASDAQ 
OMX's defensive posture against hostile takeovers.
(e) Procedures for Filling Board Vacancies
    Section 4.8 of the By-Laws sets forth the procedures to fill a 
director position that has become vacant, whether because of death, 
disability, disqualification, removal or resignation. Under the current 
provisions, if such a vacancy occurs, the Nominating & Governance 
Committee of the Board shall nominate, and the Board shall elect by 
majority vote, a person to fill the vacancy. In light of the addition 
of a right for stockholders to call a special meeting, as discussed 
above, NASDAQ OMX proposes amendments to Section 4.8 to state 
explicitly that vacancies on the Board are to be filled by a majority 
vote of the Board, and not by stockholders. In addition, to prescribe 
procedures in case multiple Board vacancies occur at the same time, the 
proposed amendments state that a Board vacancy shall be filled by the 
majority of the directors, even if there is less than a quorum, or by 
the sole remaining director, if there is only one director remaining on 
the Board. The proposed amendments do not change any of the other 
procedures for filling Board vacancies.
(f) Use of Electronic Means for Certain Notices and Related Waivers
    Currently, Section 4.12(a) of the By-Laws provides that notice of 
any meeting of the Board shall be deemed duly given to a director if, 
among other methods, the notice is sent to the director at the address 
last made known in writing to NASDAQ OMX by telegraph, telefax, cable, 
radio or wireless. Section 4.12(b) of the By-Laws provides that such 
notice of a board meeting need not be given to any director if waived 
by the director in writing or by electronic transmission (or by 
telegram, telefax, cable, radio or wireless and subsequently confirmed 
in writing or by electronic transmission). NASDAQ OMX proposes 
amendments to Sections 4.12(a) and (b) to provide that both notices and 
waivers of such notices can be given by email or other means of written 
electronic transmission. These amendments are intended merely to expand 
the means through which notices and waivers of notices may be given, 
and the amendments do not affect any of the other procedural 
requirements of Sections 4.12(a) and (b). In addition, the proposed 
amendments reflect current practices, as a substantial amount of 
communications between NASDAQ OMX and its directors, outside of Board 
meetings, occurs through electronic means.
(g) Composition of the Management Compensation Committee
    As required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 
Protection Act and Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act,\37\ NASDAQ 
recently amended its listing rules relating to compensation 
committees.\38\ Since NASDAQ OMX is listed on NASDAQ, it must comply 
with these listing rules just like any other listed company. NASDAQ OMX 
therefore proposes amendments to Section 4.13(f) of the By-Laws, which 
relates to the composition of the Management Compensation Committee of 
NASDAQ OMX's Board, to conform to the recent amendments to NASDAQ's 
listing rules. Specifically, NASDAQ OMX proposes to state that the 
Management Compensation Committee must consist of at least two members 
and that each member shall meet the eligibility requirements set forth 
in the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ See Public Law 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010) and 17 CFR 
240.10C-1.
    \38\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68640 (January 11, 
2013), 78 FR 4554 (January 22, 2013) (SR-NASDAQ-2012-109). Among 
other things, the amendments require each NASDAQ-listed company, 
with certain exceptions, to have a compensation committee of its 
board of directors, consisting of a minimum of two independent 
directors who meet additional eligibility requirements relating to 
compensatory fees and affiliation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(h) No Amendment or Repeal of Certain By-Law Amendments
    While current Section 11.1 of the By-Laws provides for alteration, 
amendment, repeal and adoption of By-Laws by the stockholders, current 
Section 11.2 provides for alteration, amendment, repeal and adoption of 
By-Laws by the Board. These two sections operate as alternate means to 
alter, amend, repeal or adopt By-Laws. In other words, the stockholders 
may alter, amend, repeal or adopt By-Laws without any action by the 
Board, and vice versa. NASDAQ OMX proposes to add a proviso to Section 
11.2 to state that no By-Law adopted by the stockholders shall be 
amended or repealed by the Board if the By-Law so adopted so provides. 
This is a stockholder-friendly provision that is intended to prevent 
the Board from subsequently overriding stockholder action to amend or 
repeal the By-Laws.
(i) Non-Substantive Changes
    The remaining proposed By-Law amendments are non-substantive 
changes, which will simplify and

[[Page 75641]]

streamline the document. Specifically, NASDAQ OMX proposes minor 
changes to Section 3.3 to incorporate the new defined term ``Proposing 
Person,'' to use the term ``nomination'' rather than ``nominee'' for 
consistency and to correct two cross-references. NASDAQ OMX also 
proposes to delete obsolete references to the 3.75% Series A 
Convertible Notes due 2012 and the Series B Convertible Notes due 2012, 
which are no longer outstanding, in Section 12.7.
    In addition, NASDAQ OMX proposes to correct typographical errors 
and/or delete obsolete cross-references in Article I(f), Section 4.3, 
Section 9.4(b), Section 12.5 and Section 12.6. Finally, NASDAQ OMX 
proposes to renumber and reorganize the provisions of the By-Laws, 
where necessary following the other amendments.
2. Statutory Basis
    BSECC believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
17A(b)(3)(C) of the Act,\39\ in that it assures a fair representation 
of shareholders and participants in the selection of directors and 
administration of its affairs. While the proposals relate to the 
organizational documents of NASDAQ OMX, rather than BSECC, BSECC is 
indirectly wholly owned by NASDAQ OMX, and therefore, NASDAQ OMX's 
stockholders have an indirect stake in BSECC. In addition, the 
participants in BSECC, to the extent any exist, could purchase stock in 
NASDAQ OMX in the open market, just like any other stockholder. The 
proposals respond directly to feedback from existing NASDAQ OMX 
stockholders about their participation in NASDAQ OMX's governance. As a 
result, NASDAQ OMX believes that the proposals assure a fair 
representation of its stockholders in the selection of directors and 
administration of its affairs, as well as the affairs of BSECC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1(b)(3)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, in response to feedback from its existing investors, 
NASDAQ OMX is proposing changes to its Charter to replace each 
supermajority voting requirement with a ``majority of outstanding 
shares'' voting standard. NASDAQ OMX believes this approach will strike 
an appropriate balance between responding to stockholder feedback and 
protecting the Company and its investors against hostile takeovers. In 
addition, the clarifying changes to the Charter will make the Charter 
more concise and easier to understand. Both sets of changes to the 
Charter were approved by NASDAQ OMX's investors at the most recent 
annual meeting of stockholders.
    NASDAQ OMX also proposes to eliminate the Certificate of 
Designation relating to the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, which 
is no longer outstanding. This proposed change will enhance the clarity 
of NASDAQ OMX's Charter.
    Finally, NASDAQ OMX proposes changes to its By-Laws: (i) To 
implement a stockholder right to call a special meeting; (ii) to 
enhance the ``advance notice'' procedures; (iii) to require certain 
information and agreements from director-nominees; (iv) to remove and 
replace the supermajority voting provisions to conform to the Charter 
amendments; (v) to clarify the procedures for filling Board vacancies; 
(vi) to allow the use of electronic means for certain notices and 
waivers; (vii) to conform the composition requirements for the 
Management Compensation Committee of NASDAQ OMX's Board with the NASDAQ 
listing rules; (vii)[sic] to prevent the Board from amending or 
repealing By-Law amendments approved by the stockholders; and 
(viii)[sic] to make other non-substantive changes.
    The proposals relating to the stockholder right to call a special 
meeting and to remove and replace the supermajority voting requirements 
are responsive to feedback from NASDAQ OMX's stockholders. The 
additional procedural requirements relating to special and annual 
meetings will state clearly and explicitly the procedures stockholders 
must follow to propose business at such meetings. The requirement for 
certain information and agreements from director-nominees will ensure 
that nominees provide adequate information about themselves and also 
comply with applicable law and certain NASDAQ OMX policies and 
procedures relating to the Board. The prohibition on the Board amending 
or repealing By-Law amendments approved by the stockholders is a 
stockholder-friendly provision that is intended to prevent the Board 
from subsequently overriding stockholders' wishes. Finally, the 
remaining changes are clarifying in nature, and they conform NASDAQ 
OMX's governance documents to current practices and applicable rules 
and make them clearer and easier to understand.

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

    Because the proposed rule change relates to the governance of 
NASDAQ OMX and not to the operations of BSECC, BSECC 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.

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may 
designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to 
be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which BSECC consents, the Commission shall: (a) By order approve or 
disapprove such proposed rule change, or (b) institute proceedings to 
determine whether the proposed rule change should be 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-BSECC-2013-001 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-BSECC-2013-001. 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

[[Page 75642]]

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 BSECC. 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-BSECC-2013-001 and 
should be submitted on or before January 2, 2014.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\40\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-29616 Filed 12-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P