[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 206 (Monday, October 26, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65263-65266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27071]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-76200; File No. SR-EDGX-2015-48]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend 
Rule 19.3 To Allow the Listing of Certain Options Based on 
International Indexes

October 20, 2015.
    Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on October 9, 2015, EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``EDGX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange 
has designated this proposal as a ``non-controversial'' proposed rule 
change pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder,\4\ which renders it effective upon filing with 
the Commission. 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.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of the 
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposal to allow the listing of options 
overlying portfolio depositary receipts and index fund shares 
(collectively, ``ETFs'') that are listed pursuant to generic listing 
standards on equities exchanges for series of ETFs based on 
international or global indexes under which a comprehensive 
surveillance sharing agreement is not required.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
Web site at www.batstrading.com, at the principal office of the 
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such 
statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange is proposing to amend Rule 19.3(i) to allow the 
Exchange's options platform (``EDGX Options'') to list options 
overlying ETFs that are listed pursuant to generic listing standards on 
equities exchanges for series of ETFs based on international or global 
indexes under which a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement 
(``CSSA'') is not required.\5\ This proposal will enable the Exchange 
to list and trade options on ETFs without a CSSA provided that the ETF 
is listed on an equities exchange pursuant to the generic listing 
standards that do not require a CSSA pursuant to Rule 19b-4(e) of the 
Exchange Act.\6\ Rule 19b-4(e) provides that the listing and trading of 
a new derivative securities product by a self-regulatory organization 
(``SRO'') shall not be deemed a proposed rule change, pursuant to 
paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 19b-4, if the Commission has approved, 
pursuant to section 19(b) of the Exchange Act, the SRO's trading rules, 
procedures, and listing standards for the product class that would 
include the new derivatives securities product and the SRO has a 
surveillance program for the product class.\7\ In other words, the 
proposal will amend the listing standards to allow the Exchange to list 
and trade options on ETFs based on international or global indexes to a 
similar degree that they are allowed to be listed on several equities 
exchanges.\8\
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    \5\ See, e.g., EDGX Rule 14.2(b)(3); BATS Exchange Rule 
14.11(b)(3)(A)(ii); NYSE MKT Rule 1000 Commentary .03(a)(B); NYSE 
Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3) Commentary .01 (a)(B); and NASDAQ Rule 
5705(a)(3)(A)(ii).
    \6\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(e).
    \7\ When relying on Rule 19b-4(e), the SRO must submit Form 19b-
4(e) to the Commission within five business days after the SRO 
begins trading the new derivative securities products. See Exchange 
Act Release No. 40761 (December 8, 1998), 63 FR 70952 (December 22, 
1998).
    \8\ See EDGX Rule 14.2(b)(3); BATS Rules 14.11(b)(3)(A)(ii); 
NYSE MKT Rule 1000 Commentary .03(a)(B); NYSE Arca Equities Rule 
5.2(j)(3) Commentary .01 (a)(B); and NASDAQ Rule 5705(a)(3)(A)(ii). 
See also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 54739 (November 9, 
2006), 71 FR 66993 (SR-Amex-2006-78); 55269 (February 9, 2007), 72 
FR 7490 (February 15, 2007) (SR-NASDAQ-2006-050); 55621 (April 12, 
2007), 72 FR 19571 (April 18, 2007) (SR-NYSEArca-2006-86)
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    Currently, EDGX Options rules allow for the listing and trading of 
options on Fund Shares. Rule 19.3(i)(1)-(3) provide the listings 
standards for options on Fund Shares with non-U.S. component stocks, 
such as Fund Shares based on international or global indexes. Rule 
19.3(i)(1) requires that any non-U.S. component stocks of an index or 
portfolio of stocks on which the Fund Shares are based that are not 
subject to a CSSA do not in the aggregate represent more than 50% of 
the weight of the index or portfolio. Rule 19.3(i)(2) requires stocks 
for which the primary market is in any one country that is not

[[Page 65264]]

subject to a CSSA do not represent 20% or more of the weight of the 
index. Rule 19.3(i)(3) requires that stocks for which the primary 
market is in any two countries that are not subject to a CSSA do not 
represent 33% or more of the weight of the index.
    The Exchange notes that the Commission has previously approved 
generic listing standards pursuant to Rule 19b-4(e) of the Exchange Act 
for ETFs based on indexes that consist of stocks listed on U.S. 
exchanges.\9\ In general, the criteria for the underlying component 
stocks in the international and global indexes are similar to those for 
the domestic indexes, but with modifications as appropriate for the 
issues and risks associated with non-U.S. stocks. In addition, the 
Commission has previously approved the listing and trading of ETFs 
based on international indexes--those based on non-U.S. component 
stocks--as well as global indexes--those based on non-U.S. and U.S. 
component stocks.\10\
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    \9\ See Commentary .03 to Amex Rule 1000 and Commentary .02 to 
Amex Rule 1000A. See also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 42787 
(May 15, 2000), 65 FR 33598 (May 24, 2000).
    \10\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 50189 
(August 12, 2004), 69 FR 51723 (August 20, 2004) (approving the 
listing and trading of certain Vanguard International Equity Index 
Funds); 44700 (August 14, 2001), 66 FR 43927 (August 21, 2001) 
(approving the listing and trading of series of the iShares Trust 
based on certain S&P global indexes).
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    In approving ETFs for equities exchange trading, the Commission 
thoroughly considered the structure of the ETFs, their usefulness to 
investors and to the markets, and SRO rules that govern their trading. 
The Exchange believes that allowing the listing of options overlying 
ETFs that are listed pursuant to the generic listing standards on 
equities exchanges for ETFs based on international and global indexes 
and applying Rule 19b-4(e) should fulfill the intended objective of 
that Rule by allowing options on those ETFs that have satisfied the 
generic listing standards to commence trading, without the need for the 
public comment period and Commission approval. The proposed rule has 
the potential to reduce the time frame for bringing options on ETFs to 
market, thereby reducing the burdens on issuers and other market 
participants. The failure of a particular ETF to comply with the 
generic listing standards under Rule 19b-4(e) would not, however, 
preclude the Exchange from submitting a separate filing pursuant to 
section 19(b)(2),\11\ requesting Commission approval to list and trade 
options on a particular ETF. Options on ETFs listed pursuant to these 
generic standards for international and global indexes would be traded, 
in all other respects, under the Exchange's existing trading rules and 
procedures that apply to options on ETFs and would be covered under the 
Exchange's surveillance program for options on ETFs.
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    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
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    Pursuant to the proposed rule, the Exchange may list and trade 
options on an ETF without a CSSA provided that the ETF is listed 
pursuant to generic listing standards for series of ETFs based on 
international or global indexes under which a comprehensive 
surveillance agreement is not required. The Exchange believes that 
these generic listing standards are intended to ensure that stocks with 
substantial market capitalization and trading volume account for a 
substantial portion of the weight of an index or portfolio.
    The Exchange believes that this proposed listing standard for 
options on ETFs is reasonable for international and global indexes, 
and, when applied in conjunction with the other listing 
requirements,\12\ will result in options overlying ETFs that are 
sufficiently broad-based in scope and not readily susceptible to 
manipulation. The Exchange also believes that allowing the Exchange to 
list options overlying ETFs that are listed on equities exchanges 
pursuant to generic standards for series of portfolio depositary 
receipts or index fund shares \13\ based on international or global 
indexes under which a CSSA is not required, will result in options 
overlying ETFs that are adequately diversified in weighting for any 
single security or small group of securities to significantly reduce 
concerns that trading in options overlying ETFs based on international 
or global indexes could become a surrogate for trading in unregistered 
securities.
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    \12\ All of the other listing criteria under the Exchange's 
rules will continue to apply to any options listed pursuant to the 
proposed rule change.
    \13\ The Exchange notes that the proposed rule text differs 
slightly from that of other exchanges in order to make clear that 
the rule applies to ETFs that have been listed on equities exchanges 
pursuant to generic listing standards for series of ``portfolio 
depositary receipts or index fund shares'' rather than ``portfolio 
depositary receipts and index fund shares.'' Such difference does 
not represent a substantive difference from the rules of other 
Exchanges. See infra note 16.
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    The Exchange believes that ETFs based on international and global 
indexes that have been listed pursuant to the generic standards are 
sufficiently broad-based enough as to make options overlying such ETFs 
not susceptible instruments for manipulation. The Exchange believes 
that the threat of manipulation is sufficiently mitigated for 
underlying ETFs that have been listed on equities exchanges pursuant to 
generic listing standards for series of portfolio depositary receipts 
or index fund shares based on international or global indexes under 
which a comprehensive surveillance agreement is not required and for 
the overlying options, that the Exchange does not see the need for CSSA 
to be in place before listing and trading options on such ETFs. The 
Exchange notes that its proposal does not replace the need for a CSSA 
as provided in the current rule. The provisions of the current rule, 
including the need for a CSSA, remain materially unchanged in the 
proposed rule and will continue to apply to options on ETFs that are 
not listed on an equities exchange pursuant to generic listing 
standards for series of portfolio depositary receipts or index fund 
shares based on international or global indexes under which a 
comprehensive surveillance agreement is not required. Instead, the 
proposed rule adds an additional listing mechanism for certain 
qualifying options on ETFs to be listed on the Exchange.
    Finally, the Exchange is also proposing to make several non-
substantive changes to the rule text in order to make it easier to read 
and understand. Specifically, the Exchange is proposing to move 
paragraph (4) to become paragraph (1), to renumber each of paragraphs 
(1), (2), (3), (5), and (6) to (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F), 
respectively, and to make clear that each of the proposed newly 
numbered paragraphs (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F) apply to the series of 
Fund Shares that do not meet the criteria proposed in proposed new 
paragraph (A).
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with the 
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder that 
are applicable to a national securities exchange, and, in particular, 
with the requirements of section 6(b) of the Act.\14\ In particular, 
the proposal is consistent with section 6(b)(5) of the Act \15\ because 
it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and 
practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating 
transactions in securities, 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. In 
particular, the proposed rules have the potential to

[[Page 65265]]

reduce the time frame for bringing options on ETFs to market, thereby 
reducing the burdens on issuers and other market participants. The 
Exchange also believes that enabling the listing and trading of options 
on ETFs pursuant to this new listing standard will benefit investors by 
providing them with valuable risk management tools. The Exchange notes 
that its proposal does not replace the need for a CSSA as provided in 
the current rule. The provisions of the current rule, including the 
need for a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement, remain 
materially unchanged in the proposed rule and will continue to apply to 
options on ETFs that are not listed on an equities exchange pursuant to 
generic listing standards for series of portfolio depositary receipts 
or index fund shares based on international or global indexes under 
which a comprehensive surveillance agreement is not required. Instead, 
the proposed rule adds an additional listing mechanism for certain 
qualifying options on ETFs to be listed on the Exchange in a manner 
that is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and 
practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating 
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanisms of a free and open market and a national market system and, 
in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
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    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    The Exchange also believes that the proposed non-substantive 
organizational changes are reasonable, fair, and equitable because they 
are designed to make the rule easier to comprehend. As noted above, the 
proposed non-substantive changes do not change the need for a CSSA as 
provided in the current rule. The provisions of the current rule, 
including the need for a CSSA, remain materially unchanged in the 
proposed rule and will continue to apply to options on ETFs that are 
not listed on an equities exchange pursuant to generic listing 
standards for series of portfolio depositary receipts or index fund 
shares based on international or global indexes under which a 
comprehensive surveillance agreement is not required. These non-
substantive changes to the rules are intended to make the rules clearer 
and less confusing for participants and investors and to eliminate 
potential confusion, thereby removing impediments to and perfecting the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, 
in general, protecting investors and the public interest.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. To the contrary, the 
proposed rule change is a competitive change that is substantially 
similar to recent rule changes by other options exchanges, such as MIAX 
Options Exchange (``MIAX''), NASDAQ OMX PHLX, LLC (``Phlx''), and 
International Stock Exchange LLC (``ISE'').\16\ The Exchange notes that 
the Exchange's affiliate, BATS Exchange, Inc. (``BATS'') also filed a 
similar rule change earlier this year.\17\ Furthermore, the Exchange 
believes this proposed rule change will benefit investors by providing 
additional methods to trade options on ETFs, and by providing them with 
valuable risk management tools. Specifically, the Exchange believes 
that market participants on the Exchange would benefit from the 
introduction and availability of options on ETFs in a manner that is 
similar to equities exchanges and will provide investors with a venue 
on which to trade options on these products. For all the reasons stated 
above, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule changes 
will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act, and believes the proposed 
change will enhance competition.
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    \16\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 74509 
(March 13, 2015), 80 FR 14425 (March 19, 2015) (SR-MIAX-2015-04); 
74553 (March 20, 2015), 80 FR 16072 (March 26, 2015) (SR-Phlx-2015-
27); and 74832 (April 29, 2015), 80 FR 25738 (May 5, 2015) (SR-ISE-
2015-16).
    \17\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75166 (June 12, 
2015), 80 FR 34946 (June 18, 2015) (SR-BATS-2015-43).
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C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on 
the proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \18\ and 
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\19\
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    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \19\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written 
notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a 
brief description and the text of the proposed rule change, at least 
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule 
change.
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does 
not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing.\20\ 
Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), however, permits the Commission to designate a 
shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest.\21\ The Exchange has asked the 
Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may 
become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange has stated that 
waiver of the operative delay will permit the Exchange to list and 
trade certain ETF options on the same basis as other options 
markets.\22\ The Commission believes the waiver of the operative delay 
is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. 
Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and 
designates the proposal operative upon filing.\23\
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    \20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \21\ Id.
    \22\ See supra notes 16 and 17.
    \23\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (i) 
Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the 
protection of investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the 
purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the 
Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the 
proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or

[[Page 65266]]

     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-EDGX-2015-48 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-EDGX-2015-48. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-EDGX-2015-48, and should be 
submitted on or before November 16, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\24\
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    \24\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-27071 Filed 10-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P