[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 237 (Wednesday, December 10, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73382-73389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28877]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-73739; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2014-116)


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; 
Notice of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the NASDAQ Opening and Halt 
Cross

December 4, 2014.
    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 21, 2014, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``NASDAQ'' or the 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, 
and III below, which Items have been prepared by NASDAQ. 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 the 
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    NASDAQ proposes to modify and reorganize Chapter VI (Trading 
Systems), Section 8 (NASDAQ Opening and Halt Cross) of the NASDAQ 
Options Market, LLC (``NOM''). The proposal would update or add Section 
1 and Section 8 definitions in respect of the NASDAQ Opening and Halt 
Cross. The proposal would also make changes regarding: The criteria for 
opening of trading or resumption of trading after a halt; NASDAQ 
posting on its Web site any changes to the dissemination interval or 
prior Order Imbalance Indicator; the procedure if more than one price 
exists; the procedure if there are unexecuted contracts; and the 
ability of firms to elect that orders be returned in symbols that were 
not opened on NOM before the conclusion of the Opening Order Cancel 
Timer.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available at http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com/, at NASDAQ's principal office, 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, NASDAQ included statements 
concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below, and is set forth in Sections A, B, and C below.

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 modify NOM Chapter 
VI, Section 1 and Section 8 to update or add definitions, which include 
Current Reference Price, NASDAQ Opening Cross, Eligible Interest, Valid 
Width National Best Bid or Offer (``Valid Width NBBO''), Away Best Bid 
or Offer (``ABBO''), and On the Open Order (``OPG''). The purpose is to 
also make changes regarding: The criteria for opening of trading or 
resumption of trading after a halt; NASDAQ posting on its Web site any 
changes to the dissemination interval or prior Order Imbalance 
Indicator; the procedure if more than one price exists; the procedure 
if there are unexecuted contracts; and the ability of firms to elect 
that orders be returned in symbols that were not opened on NOM before 
the conclusion of the Opening Order Cancel Timer.\3\
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    \3\ The Exchange will explain the proposed change to its 
participants via an Options Trader Alert.
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    Section 8 of Chapter VI describes the NASDAQ opening and halt cross 
and opening imbalance process (``Opening Cross'').\4\ Section 8(a) 
currently contains definitions that are applicable to Section 8. 
Section 8(b) currently states that for the opening of trading of System 
Securities,\5\ the Opening Cross shall occur at or after 9:30 a.m. 
Eastern Time \6\ if any of the following ``conditions'' occur: (1) 
There is no Imbalance; \7\ (2) the dissemination of a regular market 
hours quote or trade (as determined by the Exchange on a class-by-class 
basis) by the Market for the Underlying Security \8\ has occurred (or, 
in the case

[[Page 73383]]

of index options, the Exchange has received the opening price of the 
underlying index); or (3) in the case of a trading halt, when trading 
resumes pursuant to Chapter V, Section 4, and a certain number (as the 
Exchange may determine from time to time) of other options exchanges 
have disseminated a firm quote on the Options Price Reporting Authority 
(``OPRA'').\9\ Market hours trading on NOM in specific options 
commences, or in the case of specific halted options resumes, when the 
NASDAQ Opening Cross concludes. Section 8(c) currently describes the 
procedure if firm quotes are not disseminated for an option by the 
predetermined number of options exchanges by a specific time during the 
day that is determined by the Exchange; \10\ provided that 
dissemination of a regular market hours quote or trade by the Market 
for the Underlying Security has occurred (or, in the case of index 
options, the Exchange has received the opening price of the underlying 
index). This filing proposes several changes to enhance the usability 
and effectiveness of Section 8 regarding the opening and halt cross and 
imbalance process.
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    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 64463 (May 11, 
2011), 76 FR 28257 (May 16, 2011)(SR-NASDAQ-2011-037)(approval order 
regarding updates to Opening Cross).
    \5\ ``System Securities'' means all options that are currently 
trading on NOM pursuant to Chapter IV. All other options shall be 
``Non System Securities.'' Chapter VI, Section 1(b).
    \6\ In this proposal, all time is Eastern Time unless otherwise 
noted.
    \7\ ``Imbalance'' means the number of contracts of Eligible 
Interest that may not be equal. Chapter VI, Section 8(a)(1). 
``Eligible Interest'' means any quotation or any order that may be 
entered into the system and designated with a time-in-force of IOC, 
DAY, GTC. Chapter VI, Section 8(a)(4). The Exchange is deleting the 
reference to Imbalance from Section 8(b) because, as discussed, the 
occurrence of the Opening Cross depends on the parameters proposed 
in Section 8(b) rather than on whether there is an imbalance.
    \8\ ``Market for the Underlying Security'' means either the 
primary listing market, the primary volume market (defined as the 
market with the most liquidity in that underlying security for the 
previous two calendar months), or the first market to open the 
underlying security, as determined by the Exchange on an issue-by-
issue basis and announced to the membership on the Exchange's Web 
site. Chapter VI, Section 8(a)(5).
    \9\ For better readability, this part of Section 8(b) is 
proposed to be broken into two sentences and the phrase ``the 
Opening Cross shall occur'' inserted. Reference to firm quote on 
OPRA is proposed to be deleted from this part of Section 8(b) and 
is, as discussed, put into proposed Section 8(b)(2)(B).
    \10\ The specific time of day, currently 9:45 a.m., is 
disseminated at http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/content/technicalsupport/NOM_SystemSettings.pdf.
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    First, the Exchange proposes to update or add new Section 8 
definitions.
    The Exchange proposes a change to the definition of ``Current 
Reference Price''. Current Section 8(a)(2)(A) defines the ``Current 
Reference Price'' to mean: (i) The single price at which the maximum 
number of contracts of Eligible Interest can be paired at or within the 
NBBO; (ii) If more than one price exists under subparagraph (i), the 
Current reference Price shall mean the entered price at which contracts 
will remain unexecuted in the cross; (iii) If more than one price 
exists under subparagraph (ii), the Current Reference Price shall mean 
the price that is closest to the midpoint of the (1) National Best Bid 
or the last offer on NOM against which contracts will be traded 
whichever is higher, and (2) National Best Offer or the last bid on NOM 
against which contracts will be traded whichever is lower. Proposed 
Section 8(a)(2)(A) seeks to simplify the definition of the ``Current 
Reference Price'' to state that ``Current Reference Price'' shall mean 
an indication of what the Opening Cross price would be at a particular 
point in time. The ``Current Reference Price'' determination will be 
substantively similar to what is currently described in Section 
8(a)(2)(A), with the criteria for the Opening Cross price, as discussed 
below, set forth elsewhere in Section 8,\11\ according to various 
parameters (e.g. existence of opening interest, existence of Valid 
Width NBBO, whether the issue is open elsewhere).\12\ The Exchange 
believes that this construction makes the rule easier to follow. In 
addition, this construction also makes the language contained in 
current Section 8(a)(2)(E) no longer necessary as it is replaced with 
the new definition proposed for ``Current Reference Price'' in Section 
8(a)(2)(A) and proposed criteria for the Opening Cross price set forth 
in Section 8(b). Thus, the Exchange proposes to delete current Section 
8(a)(2)(E).
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    \11\ See proposed Section 8(b).
    \12\ Simultaneously, the price parameters are deleted from 
current Section 8(a)(2)(A). In a similar vein, current Section 
8(a)(2)(E) indicative prices are deleted. The Exchange is re-
organizing Section 8 and thereby deleting the noted price parameters 
and indicative prices in order to offer an integrated description of 
the opening process in proposed Section 8(b).
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    The Exchange proposes a change to the definition of ``NASDAQ 
Opening Cross''. Specifically, in proposed Section 8(a)(3) the Exchange 
introduces a clarifying change that references opening or resuming 
trading, and states that ``NASDAQ Opening Cross'' shall mean the 
process for opening or resuming trading pursuant to this rule and shall 
include the process for determining the price at which Eligible 
Interest, as discussed below, shall be executed at the open of trading 
for the day, or the open of trading for a halted option, and the 
process for executing that Eligible Interest.
    The Exchange proposes to define a new order type in Section 
1(e)(7), ``On the Open Order'', which is an order with a designated 
time-in-force of OPG.\13\ An On the Open Order will be executable only 
during the Opening Cross. If such order is not executed in its entirety 
during the Opening Cross, the order, or any unexecuted portion of such 
order, will be cancelled back to the entering participant.
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    \13\ The term ``On the Open Order'' (OPG) is also proposed to be 
added as a Time in Force to Chapter VI, Sec 1(g), and is added as an 
Order Type to Chapter VI, Sec 8(a)(4).
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    The Exchange proposes a change to the definition of ``Eligible 
Interest'' contained in current Section 8(a)(4). Specifically, in 
Section 8(a)(4) the Exchange proposes a change to reflect the addition 
of a new order type, On the Open Order, with a time-in force of OPG, so 
that ``Eligible Interest'' shall mean any quotation or any order that 
may be entered into the system and designated with a time-in-force of 
IOC (immediate-or-cancel), DAY (day order), GTC (good-till-cancelled), 
and OPG.\14\ The Exchange also proposes new language to indicate how 
certain time-in-force orders will be handled, to state that orders 
received via FIX protocol prior to the NASDAQ Opening Cross designated 
with a time-in-force of IOC will be rejected and shall not be 
considered Eligible Interest. Orders received via OTTO and SQF prior to 
the NASDAQ Opening Cross designated with a time-in-force of IOC will 
remain in-force through the opening and shall be cancelled immediately 
after the opening. The Exchange notes that FIX protocol users generally 
prefer a cancel if an order is not executed immediately in order that 
these users have an a opportunity to access other markets; while OTTO 
and SQF users are liquidity providers who prefer that the order lives 
throughout the entire opening process, until it is clear their 
liquidity was not utilized in the opening. Also, for purposes of 
consistency the time-in-force designation is hyphenated throughout 
Section 8. The Exchange believes that these changes help to clarify how 
eligible quotations and orders are handled in the opening process.
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    \14\ The Exchange notes that EXPR (wait or expire time) was 
deleted in a prior filing, see Securities Exchange Act Release No. 
64311 (April 20, 2011), 76 FR 23349 (April 26, 2011) (NASDAQ-2011-
022) (notice of filing and immediate effectiveness), but 
inadvertently was left in the rule text where ``and OPG'' is 
proposed to be added. EXPR is, therefore, not shown in the proposed 
rule text.
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    The Exchange proposes to add the concept of a Valid Width NBBO and 
ABBO with respect to away and on-Exchange interest. Specifically, in 
proposed Section 8(a)(6) the Exchange defines ``Valid Width NBBO'' as 
the combination of all away market quotes and any combination of NOM-
registered Market Maker (``Market Maker'') orders and quotes received 
over the OTTO or SQF Protocols within a specified bid/ask differential 
as established and published by the Exchange. The Valid Width NBBO will 
be configurable by underlying, and a table with valid width 
differentials will be posted by NASDAQ

[[Page 73384]]

on its Web site. Away markets that are crossed (e.g. AMEX crosses AMEX, 
AMEX crosses CBOE) will void all Valid Width NBBO calculations. If any 
Market Maker orders or quotes on NOM are crossed internally, then all 
such orders and quotes will be excluded from the Valid Width NBBO 
calculation. In addition, in proposed Section 8(a)(7), the Exchange 
defines ``ABBO'' as the displayed National Best Bid or Offer not 
including the Exchange's Best Bid or Offer.
    The Exchange is making these proposals to ensure that all away 
market quotes and any combination of Market Maker orders and quotes 
\15\, whether they include the Exchange's Best Bid or Offer or not, are 
represented. The Exchange believes that including (or adding) the 
proposed Valid Width NBBO and ABBO within the opening rule should be 
beneficial to market participants by offering a more robust Opening 
Cross process. The proposed change will significantly enhance the price 
discovery mechanism in the opening process to include not only Market 
Maker orders and quotes but also away market interest.\16\
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    \15\ In respect of the Valid Width NBBO, the orders and quotes 
on the Exchange would be received over the OTTO or SQF Protocols.
    \16\ Current Section 8(b)(2)(B) and (b)(2)(C) discuss the 
Opening Cross procedure if more than one price exists. As noted 
below, the Exchange proposes to add language to current Section 
8(b)(2)(C) regarding unexecuted contracts. Proposed Section 8(b)(5) 
and (b)(6) (renumbered from current Section 8(b)(3) and (b)(4), 
respectively) discuss how Eligible Interest would be handled vis a 
vis the Opening Cross; proposed (b)(5) states that if the NASDAQ 
Opening Cross price is selected and not all Eligible Interest 
available in NOM is executed, then all Eligible Interest shall be 
executed at the NASDAQ Opening Cross price in accordance with the 
execution algorithm assigned to the associated underlying option. No 
changes are proposed to Sections 8(b)(6) and 8(b)(7) other than re-
numbering. Section 8 (b)(6) (renumbered from current Section 
8(b)(4)) states that all Eligible Interest executed in the Nasdaq 
Opening Cross shall be executed at the Nasdaq Opening Cross price. 
Proposed Section 8(b)(7) (renumbered from current Section 8(b)(5)) 
discusses the procedure of disseminating one additional Order 
Imbalance Indicator, if the conditions specified in proposed Section 
8(b) have occurred, but there is an imbalance containing marketable 
routable interest; any remaining Imbalance will be canceled, posted, 
or routed as per the directions on the customer's order.
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    Following are examples to illustrate, among other things, the 
calculation of the Valid Width NBBO as proposed in Section 8(a)(6) and 
the definition of the ABBO as proposed in Section 8(a)(7).

    Example 1 (normal market conditions). Assume that the Valid 
Width NBBO bid/ask differential is set by the Exchange at .10. MM1 
is quoting on the Exchange .90-1.15 and MM2 is quoting on the 
Exchange .80-.95, thus making the NOM BBO .90-.95. Assume the ABBO 
is .85-1.00. The Exchange considers all bid and all offers to 
determine the bid/ask differential; in this example, the best bid/
ask is .90-.95 which satisfies the required .10 bid/ask differential 
and is considered a Valid Width NBBO. Pursuant to the rule proposed 
in Section 8(b)(2)(A), NOM will open with no trade and BBO 
disseminated as .90-.95.
    Example 2 (away markets are crossed). Assume the Valid Width 
NBBO bid/ask differential is set by the Exchange at .10. MM1 is 
quoting on the Exchange 1.05-1.15 and MM2 is quoting on the Exchange 
1.00-1.10, thus making the NOM BBO 1.05-.1.10. Assume Exchange 2 is 
quoting .90-1.10 and Exchange 3 is quoting .70-.85. Since the ABBO 
is crossed (.90-.85), Valid Width NBBO calculations are not taken 
into account until the away markets are no longer crossed. Once the 
away markets are no longer crossed, the Exchange will determine if a 
Valid Width NBBO can be calculated. Assume the ABBO uncrosses 
because Exchange 3 updates their quote to .90-1.15, the NOM BBO of 
1.05-1.10 is considered a Valid Width NBBO. Pursuant to the rule 
proposed in Section 8(b)(2)(A), NOM will open with no trade and BBO 
disseminated as 1.05-1.10.
    Example 3 (NOM orders/quotes are crossed, ABBO is Valid Width 
NBBO).  Assume that the Valid Width NBBO bid/ask differential is set 
by the Exchange at .10. MM1 is quoting on the Exchange 1.05-1.15 
(10x10 contracts) and MM2 is quoting on the Exchange .90-.95 (10x10 
contracts), thus making the NOM BBO crossed, 1.05-.95, while another 
MM3 is quoting on the Exchange at .90-1.15 (10x10 contracts). Since 
the NOM BBO is crossed, the crossing quotes are excluded from the 
Valid Width NBBO calculation. However, assume Exchange 2 is quoting 
.95-1.10 and Exchange 3 is quoting .95-1.05, resulting in an 
uncrossed ABBO of .95-1.05. The ABBO of .95-1.05 meets the required 
.10 bid/ask differential and is considered a Valid Width NBBO. The 
Opening Cross will follow the rules set forth in proposed Section 
8(b)(4)(B) because MM1 and MM2 have 10 contracts each which cross 
and there is more than one price at which those contracts could 
execute. Thus, the Opening Cross will occur with 10 contracts 
executing at 1.00, which is the mid-point of the National Best Bid 
and the National Best Offer. At the end of the opening process, only 
the quote from MM3 remains so the NOM disseminated quote at the end 
of opening process will be .90-1.15 (10x10 contracts).

    Second, in current Section 8(b) the Exchange proposes to remove 
language that ``there is no Imbalance'' and language regarding ``on a 
class-by-class basis'', and proposes to add additional clarifying 
language pertaining to an Opening Cross after a trading halt. The 
Imbalance language is being removed from the introductory sentence of 
current Section 8(b) to make the language of the Processing of the 
Opening Cross apply more generally. The details surrounding the Opening 
Cross as it relates specifically to an Imbalance is currently provided 
for in Section 8(b)(5) and is being added in new proposed Section 
8(b)(4)(C). The Exchange proposes to remove the ``on a class-by-class 
basis'' language because the Exchange will use a regular market hours 
quote or trade (as determined by the Exchange) for all classes on the 
Exchange for the Opening Cross, without distinguishing among different 
classes. Additionally, the Exchange proposes to add language to current 
Section 8(b) to make it clear that an Opening Cross shall occur after a 
trading halt when trading resumes pursuant to Chapter V, Section 4.\17\
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    \17\ Chapter V, Section 4 states that trading in an option that 
has been the subject of a halt under Section 3 of Chapter V shall be 
resumed upon the determination by NASDAQ Regulation, that the 
conditions which led to the halt are no longer present or that the 
interests of a fair and orderly market are best served by a 
resumption of trading. Trading shall resume according to the process 
set forth in proposed Chapter VI, Section 8 of the rules.
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    Third, the Exchange proposes to add certain criteria to current 
Section 8(b), in order to describe how the opening process will differ 
depending on whether a trade is possible or not on NOM. Provided that 
the ABBO is not crossed these criteria necessitate, per proposed new 
Section 8(b)(1), that a Valid Width NBBO will always be required to 
open a series when there is tradable interest on NOM; and require, per 
proposed new Section 8(b)(2), that in cases where there is no tradable 
interest, any one of three conditions could trigger a series on NOM to 
open. Those conditions are listed in proposed new (b)(2) as: (A) A 
Valid Width NBBO is present, (B) a certain number of other options 
exchanges (as determined by the Exchange) have disseminated a firm 
quote on OPRA, or (C) a certain period of time (as determined by the 
Exchange) has elapsed.\18\ The Exchange believes that listing these 
criteria will, similarly to other proposed changes, organize and 
clarify the opening process and make it more robust and protective for 
market participants. The requirement of a Valid Width NBBO being 
present will help to ensure that opening execution prices are rational 
based on what is present in the broader marketplace during the opening 
process.
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    \18\ In the case of a crossed ABBO, the conditions set forth in 
new proposed Section (8)(b)(1) and (b)(2) will become operative when 
the ABBO becomes uncrossed.
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    Fourth, the Exchange proposes changes to provide additional 
information during the opening process. Current Section 8(b)(1) 
indicates that NASDAQ shall disseminate an Order Imbalance Indicator 
every 5 seconds and does not allow for a shorter dissemination 
interval. New proposed Section 8(b)(3) indicates that NASDAQ shall 
disseminate by electronic means

[[Page 73385]]

an Order Imbalance Indicator \19\ every 5 seconds beginning between 
9:20 a.m. and 9:28 a.m., or a shorter dissemination interval as 
established by NASDAQ, with the default being set at 9:25 a.m. The 
start of dissemination, dissemination interval, and changes to prior 
Order Imbalance Indicators, if any, shall be posted on the Exchange Web 
site. To further enhance price discovery and disclosure regarding the 
Opening Cross process, the Exchange proposes to add the ability for it 
to disseminate imbalances more frequently, which the rule currently 
does not allow for. The Exchange will indicate start of dissemination 
and the dissemination interval on its Web site. The Exchange believes 
that, like the other proposed changes, this proposed enhancement 
regarding additional information disclosure should prove to be very 
helpful to market participants, particularly those that are involved in 
adding liquidity during the Opening Cross process.
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    \19\ ``Order Imbalance Indicator'' means a message disseminated 
by electronic means containing information about Eligible Interest 
and the price in penny increments at which such interest would 
execute at the time of dissemination. For the information 
disseminated by the Order Imbalance Indicator (e.g. Current 
Reference Price, number of paired contracts, size and buy/sell 
direction of Imbalance, indicative prices), see Chapter VI, Section 
8(a)(2). The term ``order'' means a firm commitment to buy or sell 
options contracts. Chapter 1, Section 1(a)(44).
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    Fifth, the Exchange proposes to add language regarding how the 
Opening Cross will occur in relation to the Valid Width NBBO, and 
further what would happen if more than one price exists under certain 
circumstances. With this proposal, current Section 8(b)(2)(B) will be 
deleted and the determination of the Opening Cross price will be more 
fully described under proposed new Section 8(b)(4)(A)-(C). The new 
language added to current subparagraph (A) stipulates that the Opening 
Cross shall occur at the price that maximizes the number of contracts 
of Eligible Interest in NOM to be executed at or within the ABBO and 
within a defined range, as established and published by the Exchange, 
of the Valid Width NBBO. Current subparagraph (A) simply states the 
Opening Cross shall occur at the price that maximizes the number of 
contracts of Eligible Interest in NOM to be executed at or within the 
NBBO. The new proposed language being added to (A) will require that 
the Opening Cross price not only be at a price at or within the ABBO 
but also be within a defined range of the Valid Width NBBO. This 
addition will ensure that the Exchange does not open at a price too far 
away from the best interest available in the marketplace as a whole.
    The new proposed Section 8(b)(4)(B) and (C) describe in detail at 
what price the Opening Cross will occur if there exists more than one 
price under Section 8(b)(4)(A) at which the maximum number of contracts 
could be executed at or within the ABBO and equal to or within a 
defined range of the Valid Width NBBO. Current Section 8(b)(2)(C) 
(renumbered as proposed to (b)(4)(B)) states that if more than one 
price exists under subparagraph (B),\20\ the NASDAQ Opening Cross shall 
occur at the price that is closest to the midpoint price of (1) the 
National Best Bid or the last offer on NOM against which contracts will 
be traded whichever is higher, and (2) the National Best Offer or the 
last bid on NOM against which contracts will be traded whichever is 
lower. In an effort to make the rule language more precise and to 
signify that to the extent possible the Opening Cross will occur at the 
midpoint price, the Exchange proposes to delete the language ``the 
price that is closest to''. New subparagraph (B), as proposed, will 
read that if more than one price exists under subparagraph (A) \21\ and 
there are no contracts that would remain unexecuted in the cross, the 
Nasdaq Opening Cross shall occur at the midpoint price, rounded to the 
penny closest to the price of the last execution in that series and in 
the absence of a previous execution price, the price will round up, if 
necessary.\22\ The price is determined using the midpoint of (1) the 
National Best Bid or the last offer on NOM against which contracts will 
be traded whichever is higher, and (2) National Best Offer or the last 
bid on NOM against which contracts will be traded whichever is lower. 
The Exchange believes the proposed language more fully describes how 
rounding is applied to determine the opening execution price in place 
of a general statement of ``the price that is closest to the midpoint 
price''. In addition, the Exchange proposes new subparagraph (C) to 
describe the price at which the Opening Cross will occur when more than 
one price exists under subparagraph (A) and there are contracts which 
would remain unexecuted in the cross which was previously described in 
Section 8(b)(2)(B) with less granularity and without consideration of 
the new Valid Width NBBO. New proposed subparagraph (C) will state if 
more than one price exists under subparagraph (A), and contracts would 
remain unexecuted in the cross, then the opening price will be the 
highest/lowest price, in the case of a buy/sell imbalance, at which the 
maximum number of contracts can trade which is equal to or within a 
defined range as established and published by the Exchange,\23\ of the 
Valid Width NBBO on the contra side of the imbalance that would not 
trade through the ABBO. Where there is more than one price and there is 
an imbalance, in Section 8(b)(4)(C) the Exchange is proposing that the 
Opening Cross price also be within a defined range of the Valid Width 
NBBO on the contra side of the imbalance, to help ensure that the 
opening price does not stray too far from the best prices available and 
that the opening price is rational. In addition, the Opening Cross 
price will be the highest price, in the case of a buy imbalance, where 
the maximum number of contracts can trade which is equal to or within 
the defined range of the Valid Width NBBO. Similarly, in the case of a 
sell imbalance, the Opening Cross price will be the lowest price at 
which the maximum number of contracts can trade which is equal to or 
within the defined range of the Valid Width NBBO. This serves to 
provide opening execution price protections as well as an Opening Cross 
price which will not have residual unexecuted interest reflected in the 
marketplace, after the Opening Cross execution, at a price which 
crosses the Opening Cross execution price.
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    \20\ Current Section 8(b)(2)(B) currently states that if more 
than one price exists under subparagraph (A), the NASDAQ Opening 
Cross shall occur at the entered price at which contracts will 
remain unexecuted in the cross. Subparagraph (A) states that the 
NASDAQ Opening Cross shall occur at the price that maximizes the 
number of contracts of Eligible Interest in NOM to be executed at or 
within the National Best Bid and Offer.
    \21\ The Exchange proposes to change the subparagraph reference 
from (B) to (A) as current subparagraph (B) is being deleted and 
expanded upon with new subparagraphs (B) and (C).
    \22\ The Exchange notes that rounding will be applied, if 
needed, in the following manner: If the previous closing price is 
less than the midpoint, then the opening price rounds down; and if 
the previous closing price is greater than the midpoint, or if there 
is no closing price, then the opening price rounds up. For example, 
if there is a midpoint of 1.045, the opening price would be rounded 
to 1.04 if the previous closing price was 1.00, and would be rounded 
to 1.05 if the previous closing price was 1.10.
    \23\ The Exchange notes that the system will also calculate a 
defined range to limit the range of prices at which an order will be 
allowed to execute. Chapter VI, Section 10 (7).
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    The following examples illustrate, among other things, the 
determination of the Opening Cross price.

    Example 4 (no imbalance and one possible price).  Assume a Valid 
Width NBBO bid/ask differential allowance of .10 and a defined range 
of .10. Also, assume that the ABBO is 1.00-1.10 (10x10 contracts) 
and the NOM BBO is .99-1.15 (10x10 contracts) which represents a 
quote from MM1. Assume that

[[Page 73386]]

a Customer Order 1 comes in to Buy 10 contracts for 1.05 and a 
Customer Order 2 comes in to Sell 10 contracts at 1.05. Once regular 
markets hours have begun and the underlying security has opened, the 
system determines if there is a Valid Width Quote present. While the 
NOM BBO of .99-1.15 is wider than the allowed bid/ask differential 
to qualify as a Valid Width NBBO on its own, the ABBO market of 
1.00-1.10 does qualify as a Valid Width NBBO. In this scenario, 
there is not an opening imbalance since there are 10 contracts on 
both the buy and sell side which could possibly trade. Thus, the 
Opening Cross will follow the rules set forth in proposed Section 
8(b)(4)(A). Under this rule, the Opening Cross will occur at the 
price which maximizes the number of contracts of Eligible Interest 
at or within the ABBO and within a defined range of the Valid Width 
NBBO. In this scenario, the Opening Cross price will be 1.05 with 10 
contracts executing and NOM BBO disseminated as .99-1.15.
    Example 5 (no imbalance and more than one possible price). 
Assume a Valid Width NBBO bid/ask differential allowance of .10 and 
a defined range of .10. Assume the ABBO is 1.00-1.10 (10x10 
contracts) and the NOM BBO is .99-1.11 (10x10 contracts) which 
represents a quote from MM1. Assume that a Customer Order 1 comes in 
to Buy 10 contracts for 1.08, and a Customer Order 2 comes in to 
Sell 10 contracts at 1.00. Once regular markets hours have begun and 
the underlying security has opened, the system determines if there 
is a Valid Width Quote present. While the NOM BBO of .99-1.11 is 
wider than the allowed bid/ask differential to qualify as a Valid 
Width NBBO on its own, the ABBO market of 1.00-1.10 does qualify as 
a Valid Width NBBO. In this scenario, there is not an imbalance as 
there are 10 contracts to buy and 10 contracts to sell, however, 
there exist multiple price points at which those 10 contracts could 
execute within the ABBO and within a .10 range of the Valid Width 
NBBO. Thus, the Opening Cross will follow the rules set forth in 
proposed Section 8(b)(4)(B) and the Opening Cross will occur with 10 
contracts executing at 1.04. 1.04 represents the midpoint of 1.00 
(the last offer on NOM against which contracts will be traded or the 
National Best Bid since the two are equal) and 1.08 (the last bid on 
NOM against which contracts will be traded). If the example is 
changed slightly such that Order 1 is a market order to Buy 10 
contracts, the Opening Cross will occur with 10 contracts executing 
at 1.05 which represents the midpoint of 1.00 (the last offer on NOM 
against which contracts will be traded or the National Best Bid 
since the two are equal) and 1.10 (the National Best Offer against 
which contracts will be traded). The market order is considered to 
be a price higher than the National Best Offer and outside of the 
NBBO therefore, the National Best Offer is used in determining the 
Opening Cross price. The NOM BBO disseminated after the opening in 
either case will be .99-1.11.
    Example 6 (imbalance and more than one possible price).  Assume 
that the ABBO is 1.05-1.50 (10x10 contracts) and MM1 is quoting on 
NOM 1.15-1.20 (10x10 contracts) as well as MM2 is quoting on NOM 
1.05-1.50 (10x10 contracts). Also assume that the Valid Width NBBO 
bid/ask differential allowance and defined range are each .10. Also 
assume a Customer Order 1 is entered to Buy 30 contracts for 1.45. 
In this example, the Valid Width NBBO is comprised solely of the NOM 
1.15-1.20 quote. There is more than one price at which the Exchange 
can maximize the number of contracts executed, 10 contracts, during 
the Opening Cross and there exist multiple prices at which 20 
contracts will remain unexecuted in the Opening Cross. Thus, the 
Opening Cross price will be determined under proposed Section 
8(b)(4)(C). In this example, the Valid Width NBBO is 1.15-1.20 which 
is the best bid and best offer of the MM1 quote and the ABBO and is 
tighter than the allowed differential of .10. With a defined range 
of .10 of the Valid Width NBBO on the contra side of the imbalance 
(1.20 + .10), and a buy imbalance, the Opening Cross price will be 
1.30 with Order 1 buying 10 contracts from MM1. The Opening Cross 
price of 1.30 represents the highest price at which the maximum 
number of contracts, 10 contracts, can trade which is equal to or 
within the defined range of the Valid Width NBBO on the contra side 
of the imbalance that would not trade through the ABBO. The 
remaining unexecuted contracts will be posted on the book and 
reflected in the NOM quote as a 1.30 bid with NOM BBO disseminated 
as 1.30-150 [sic] with offer as non-firm, as proposed in Section 
8(b)(4)(C)(iii). If this example were changed slightly such that the 
ABBO was 1.05-1.25, the opening price would be 1.25 since the 
Opening Cross cannot occur at a price outside of the ABBO.

    Because new proposed subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2) are added, 
current subsections (b)(1) through (b)(5) are re-numbered to (b)(3) 
through (b)(7), and the reference to (b)(2) in current (b)(7) is re-
numbered to (b)(4).
    Sixth, the Exchange is proposing new language to indicate the price 
at which remaining unexecuted contracts will be posted. Specifically, 
in proposed Section 8(b)(4)(C), formerly covered in (b)(2), the 
Exchange proposes to state that if more than one price exists under 
subparagraph (A), and contracts would remain unexecuted in the cross, 
then the opening price will be the price at which the maximum number of 
contracts can trade that are equal to or within the defined range of 
the Valid Width NBBO on the contra side of the imbalance that would not 
trade through the ABBO. New proposed subsections (i)-(iv) to Section 
8(b)(4)(C) indicate the price at which unexecuted contracts will be 
posted on the book following the Opening Cross and the subsequent 
handling of the residual unexecuted contracts, as follows: (i) If 
unexecuted contracts remain with a limit price that is equal to the 
opening price, then the remaining unexecuted contracts will be posted 
at the opening price, displayed one minimum price variation (MPV) away 
if displaying at the opening price would lock or cross the ABBO, with 
the contra-side NOM BBO reflected as firm; (ii) if unexecuted contracts 
remain with a limit price that is through the opening price, and there 
is a contra side ABBO at the opening price, then the remaining 
unexecuted contracts will be posted at the opening price, displayed one 
minimum price variation (MPV) away from the ABBO, with the contra side 
NOM BBO reflected as firm and order handling of any remaining interest 
will be done in accordance with the routing and time-in-force 
instructions of such interest and shall follow the Acceptable Trade 
Range mechanism set forth in Chapter VI, Section 10; (iii) if 
unexecuted contracts remain with a limit price that is through the 
opening price, and there is no contra side ABBO at the opening price, 
then the remaining contracts will be posted at the opening price, with 
the contra-side NOM BBO reflected as non-firm; and (iv) order handling 
of any residual unexecuted contracts will be done in accordance with 
the reference price set forth in Chapter VI, Section 10, with the 
opening price representing the reference price. This proposed behavior 
ensures that residual unexecuted contracts from the Opening Cross, 
regardless of their limit prices, are posted on the book at the opening 
price before subsequently being routed pursuant to Chapter VI, Section 
11 or walked to the next potential execution price(s) under the 
Acceptable Trade Range set forth in Chapter VI, Section 10(7), with the 
opening price representing the ``reference price'' of that rule. This 
enhancement to the NOM Opening Cross ensures that aggressively priced 
interest does not immediately post at prices which may be considered to 
be egregious if the interest were to post and execute immediately 
following the Opening Cross. The `firm' versus `non-firm' tagging of 
contra-side interest when residual Opening Cross interest is posted 
follows the construct currently in place on the Exchange when 
aggressive interest is received and triggers an Acceptable Trade Range 
(ATR) process. Contra-side NOM BBO interest is reflected as non-firm 
when the Exchange has interest with a limit price (or market order) 
that is more aggressive than the Opening Cross price. The purpose 
behind this is to ensure that aggressively priced residual interest 
maintains priority should other aggressively priced interest be entered 
before the residual interest is permitted to access the next allowable 
range of prices.

[[Page 73387]]

    Following are examples illustrating the proposed rule text 
regarding the handling of unexecuted contracts.

    Example 7 (proposed Section 8(b)(4)(C)(i)). Assume the ABBO is 
1.00-1.10 (10x10 contracts), and the NOM BBO is .99-1.11 (10x10 
contracts). Assume there is a Customer order to Buy 10 contracts at 
the market and a Customer order to Sell 50 contracts at 1.00. 
Further assume the Valid Width NBBO is defined as .10 and the 
defined range is also .10. The Valid Width NBBO in this example is 
comprised solely of the ABBO which has a bid/ask differential equal 
to the allowance of .10. Since there is 1) an imbalance, 2) multiple 
prices at which the maximum number of contracts (10) can execute 
equal to or within the ABBO and, 3) multiple prices at which the 
maximum number of contracts can execute equal to or within a defined 
range of the Valid Width NBBO on the contra side of the imbalance 
that would not trade through the ABBO, the Opening Cross will occur 
at a price determined under Section 8(b)(4)(C). The Opening Cross 
will result in 10 contracts being executed at 1.00. The 40 remaining 
unexecuted contracts will be posted as a 40 contract offer at 1.00 
and displayed at 1.01 (one MPV away from the away market bid of 
1.00) in order to not display at a price which locks the ABBO under 
proposed Section 8(b)(4)(C)(i). The resulting displayed NOM BBO 
would be .99-1.01, reflected as firm on both sides of the market, 
and the remaining interest would be handled in accordance with the 
routing and time in-force instructions of the residual interest 
\24\. Since the residual interest is posted at its limit and 
therefore would not be permitted to execute at more aggressive 
prices, the contra-side NOM BBO is reflected as firm.
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    \24\ As set forth in proposed Section 8(b)(4)(C)(iv), order 
handling of any residual interest in the Opening Cross will also be 
done in accordance with the reference price set forth in Chapter VI, 
Section 10, with the opening price representing the reference price.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 8 (proposed Section 8(b)(4)(C)(ii)). Assume the ABBO is 
1.00-1.10 (10x10 contracts), and the NOM BBO is .99-1.11 (10x10 
contracts). Assume there is a Customer order to Buy 10 contracts at 
the market and a Customer order to Sell 50 contracts at .85. Further 
assume the Valid Width NBBO is defined as .10 and the defined range 
is also .10. The Valid Width NBBO in this example is comprised 
solely of the ABBO which has a bid/ask differential equal to the 
allowance of .10. Since there is an imbalance and multiple prices 
exist at which the maximum number of contracts (10) can execute 
equal to or within the ABBO and within a defined range of the Valid 
Width NBBO without trading through the ABBO, the Opening Cross will 
occur at a price determined under Section 8(b)(4)(C). The Opening 
Cross would result in 10 contracts being executed at 1.00. The 40 
remaining unexecuted contracts will be posted as a 1.00 offer and be 
displayed at 1.01 so as not to lock the away market bid under 
proposed Section 8(b)(4)(C)(ii). Since the residual interest is 
posted at a price which internally locks the ABBO and therefore 
would not be permitted to execute at more aggressive prices until 
the ABBO moves, the contra-side NOM BBO is reflected as firm. The 
resulting displayed NOM BBO would be .99-1.01, reflected as firm on 
both sides of the market, and the remaining interest would be 
handled in accordance with the routing and time-in-force 
instructions of the residual interest and in accordance with Chapter 
VI, Section 10 of the NOM rules, and the contra-side BBO will be 
marked as firm or non-firm in accordance with the same Section 10 
rule.
    Example 9 (proposed Section 8(b)(4)(C)(iii)). Assume the ABBO is 
.00-5.00 (0x10 contracts). Also assume the Valid Width NBBO bid/ask 
differential is defined as 0.10 and the defined range as described 
in proposed Section 8(b)(4)(C) is .10. Further, assume NOM has 
received a quote of .99-1.09 (10x10), a Customer order to Buy 10 
contracts at the market, a Customer order to Buy 10 contracts for 
.70, and a Customer order to Sell 50 contracts at .85. There is a 
Valid Width NBBO present with the NOM quote of .99-1.09, which is 
equal to the defined bid/ask differential of .10. The Opening Cross 
has an imbalance on the sell side. Since there is more than one 
price at which contracts would remain unexecuted in the cross, the 
Opening Cross price is determined using the logic included in 
proposed Section 8(b)(4)(C). This will result in an execution of 20 
contracts at .89, since the Valid Width NBBO on the bid side (contra 
to the imbalance side) is .99 less the defined range of .10, with 
the residual contracts of the .85 Sell Order posted on the book at 
.89. The resulting NOM BBO would be reflected as .70-.89, reflected 
as non-firm on the bid, firm on the offer, and the remaining 
unexecuted interest would be handled in accordance with the routing 
and time-in-force instructions of the residual interest. The .70 bid 
is reflected as non-firm to ensure that incoming interest will not 
be permitted to immediately execute ahead of the more aggressively 
priced Opening Cross residual interest. The residual interest from 
the Opening Cross will been handled in accordance with Chapter VI, 
Section 10 of the NOM rules, and the contra-side BBO will be marked 
as firm or non-firm in accordance with the same Section 10 rule.

    Seventh, the Exchange is proposing new language to indicate the use 
of execution algorithms assigned to the underlying options. 
Specifically, in proposed Section 8(b)(5) (formerly (b)(3)), the 
Exchange proposes to delete price/time priority and add the use of 
execution algorithms by stating that if the Nasdaq Opening Cross price 
is selected and fewer than all contracts of Eligible Interest that are 
available in NOM would be executed, all Eligible Interest shall be 
executed at the Nasdaq Opening Cross price in accordance with the 
execution algorithm assigned to the associated underlying option. By 
substituting language indicating use of execution algorithms rather 
than price/time priority, the Exchange recognizes that there are now 
multiple execution allocation models,\25\ and these are factored into 
the Opening Cross.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ See, e.g., Chapter VI, Section 10(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Lastly, the Exchange proposes to add a provision regarding the 
return of orders in un-opened symbols in the absence of an Opening 
Cross. Proposed new Section 8(c) is substituted for current Section 
8(c) and provides the procedure if an Opening Cross in a symbol is not 
initiated before the conclusion of the Opening Order Cancel Timer. 
Specifically, proposed new Section 8(c) states that if an Opening Cross 
is not initiated under such circumstances, a firm may elect to have 
orders returned by providing written notification to the Exchange. 
These orders include all non GTC orders received over the FIX protocol. 
The Opening Order Cancel Timer represents a period of time since the 
underlying market has opened, and shall be established and disseminated 
by NASDAQ on its Web site. Proposed Section 8(c) will provide 
participants the ability to have their orders returned to them if NOM 
is unable to initiate an Opening Cross within a reasonable time of the 
opening of the underlying market. In addition, proposed Section 8(c) 
deletes language which is present in current Section 8(c) regarding how 
the Opening Cross operates in relation to the presence or absence of a 
regular market hour quote or trade by the Market for the Underlying and 
the process of the Opening Cross in relation to opening quotes or 
orders which lock or cross each other. The deleted provisions are now 
being more thoroughly described in proposed Section 8(b).
    The Exchange believes that the proposed changes significantly 
improve the quality of execution of NOM's opening. The proposed changes 
give participants more choice about where, and when, they can send 
orders for the opening that would afford them the best experience. The 
Exchange believes that this should attract new order flow. The proposed 
changes should prove to be very helpful to market participants, 
particularly those that are involved in adding liquidity during the 
Opening Cross. Absent these proposed enhancements, NOM's opening 
quality will remain less robust than on other exchanges.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act \26\ in general, and furthers the

[[Page 73388]]

objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \27\ in particular, in that 
the proposal is designed to promote just and equitable principles of 
trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and 
open market and a national market system, and, in general to protect 
investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \27\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposal is consistent with the goals of the Act because it 
will enhance and clarify the Opening Cross process, minimize or negate 
unnecessary complexity, and encourage liquidity at the crucial time of 
market open. The proposed change will also enhance the price discovery 
mechanism in the opening process to include not only Market Maker 
orders and quotes but also away market interest as represented by 
quotes. The Exchange believes this change will make the transition from 
the Opening Cross period to regular market trading more efficient and 
thus promote just and equitable principles of trade and serve to 
protect investors and the public interest.
    The proposal is designed to promote just and equitable principles 
of trade by updating and clarifying the rules regarding the NASDAQ 
Opening and Halt Cross. In particular, the proposal would update or add 
Chapter VI, Section 8 definitions regarding NASDAQ Opening Cross, 
Eligible Interest, NBBO, and ABBO in respect of the Opening Cross and 
resuming options trading after a halt. The Exchange would add to 
Chapter VI, Section 1 the definition of ``On the Opening Order'' (OPG) 
as used in Section 8 in respect of the Opening Cross. The proposal 
would also, as discussed, make changes in Section 8 regarding: The 
criteria for opening of trading or resumption of trading after a halt; 
NASDAQ posting on its Web site any changes to the dissemination 
interval or prior Order Imbalance Indicator; the procedure if more than 
one price exists; the procedure if there are unexecuted contracts; and 
the ability of firms to elect that orders be returned in symbols that 
were not opened on NOM before the conclusion of the Opening Order 
Cancel Timer.
    The proposal is designed to remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system. In 
particular, the Exchange proposes in Chapter VI, Section 8(b) to remove 
the class-by-class quote or trade characteristic because for the 
Opening Cross the Exchange will use a regular market hours quote or 
trade (as determined by the Exchange) for all underylings [sic] on the 
Exchange, without distinguishing among underlying symbols, or, in the 
case of a trading halt the Opening Cross shall occur when trading 
resumes pursuant to Chapter V, Section 4. The Exchange proposes to set 
forth in Section 8(b) clear language describing under what 
circumstances an Opening Cross will occur, and how the Opening Cross 
will occur if more than one price exists under certain circumstances. 
Thus, for example, proposed Section 8(b)(4) specifies that if more than 
one price exists under subparagraph (A), and contracts would remain 
unexecuted in the cross, then the opening price will be the highest/
lowest price, in the case of a buy/sell imbalance, at which the maximum 
number of contracts can trade which is equal to or within a defined 
range, as established and published by the Exchange, of the Valid Width 
NBBO on the contra side of the imbalance that would not trade through 
the ABBO. The Exchange proposes, in Section 8(b)(4)(C), three 
alternatives for how remaining unexecuted contracts will be handled. 
These include: If unexecuted contracts remain with a limit price that 
is equal to the opening price, if unexecuted contracts remain with a 
limit price that is through the opening price and there is a contra 
side ABBO at the opening price, and if unexecuted contracts remain with 
a limit price that is through the opening price and there is no contra 
side ABBO at the opening price. The Exchange also proposes to clarify 
what happens if an Opening Cross in a symbol is not initiated before 
the conclusion of the Opening Order Cancel Timer. In that case, 
proposed Section 8(c)(2) [sic] indicates that a firm may elect to have 
orders returned by providing written notification to the Exchange. 
These orders include all non GTC orders received over the FIX protocol. 
The Opening Order Cancel Timer represents a period of time since the 
underlying market has opened, and shall be established and disseminated 
by the Exchange on its Web site.
    The proposal is designed in general to protect investors and the 
public interest. The Exchange proposes to add certain criteria to 
current Section 8(b), in order to describe how the opening process will 
differ depending on whether a trade is possible or not on NOM. Assuming 
that ABBO is not crossed, proposed new Chapter VI, Section 8(b)(1) 
states that if there is a possible trade on NOM, a Valid Width NBBO 
must be present. Assuming that ABBO is not crossed, proposed Section 
8(b)(2) states that if no trade is possible on NOM, then NOM will open 
dependent upon one of the following: A Valid Width NBBO is present; A 
certain number of other options exchanges (as determined by the 
Exchange) have disseminated a firm quote on OPRA; or A certain period 
of time (as determined by the Exchange) has elapsed. The Exchange 
proposes to further enhance price discovery and disclosure regarding 
the Opening Cross process, by proposing in current Section (b)(1) 
(renumbered to be (b)(3)) that NASDAQ may choose to establish a 
dissemination interval that is shorter than every 5 seconds; and that 
the Exchange will indicate the interval on its Web site in conjunction 
to other information regarding the Opening Process. Moreover, the 
Exchange proposes to add language in current Section 8(c)(2) regarding 
the return of orders in un-opened symbols in the absence of an Opening 
Cross. Thus, if an Opening Cross in a symbol is not initiated before 
the conclusion of the Opening Order Cancel Timer, a firm may elect to 
have orders returned by providing written notification to the Exchange. 
These orders include all non GTC orders received over the FIX protocol. 
The Opening Order Cancel Timer represents a period of time since the 
underlying market has opened, and shall be established and disseminated 
by NASDAQ on its Web site.
    For the above reasons, NASDAQ believes the proposed rule change is 
consistent with the requirements of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act. The 
Exchange believes that the proposed changes significantly improve the 
quality of execution of NOM's opening. The proposed changes give 
participants more choice about where, and when, they can send orders 
for the opening that would afford them the best experience. The 
Exchange believes that this should attract new order flow. The proposed 
changes should prove to be more robust and helpful to market 
participants, particularly those that are involved in adding liquidity 
during the Opening Cross.

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. While the Exchange does not 
believe that the proposal should have any direct impact on competition, 
it believes the proposal should help to further clarify the Opening 
Cross process and make it more efficient, reduce order entry 
complexity, enhance market liquidity, and be beneficial to market 
participants. Moreover, the Exchange believes that

[[Page 73389]]

the proposed changes significantly improve the quality of execution of 
NOM's opening. The proposed changes give participants more choice about 
where, and when, they can send orders for the opening that would afford 
them the best experience. The Exchange believes that this should 
attract new order flow. Absent these proposed enhancements, NOM's 
opening quality will remain less robust than on other exchanges, and 
the Exchange will remain at a competitive disadvantage.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    Written comments were neither solicited nor 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 the Exchange 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-NASDAQ-2014-116 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASDAQ-2014-116. 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 offices 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-NASDAQ-2014-
116, and should be submitted on or before December 31, 2014.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-28877 Filed 12-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P