[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 72 (Monday, April 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18199-18202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07636]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-80430; File No. SR-C2-2017-013]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change 
Relating to Complex Order Price Protections

April 11, 2017.
    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 April 5, 2017, C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated (the 
``Exchange'' or ``C2'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described 
in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the 
Exchange. The Exchange filed the proposal pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\4\ 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)(iii).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend a current price protection related 
to complex orders. The text of the proposed rule change is provided 
below.
(additions are italicized; deletions are [bracketed])
* * * * *

C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated

Rules

* * * * *

Rule 6.13. Complex Order Execution

    (a)-(c) No change.

. . . Interpretations and Policies:

    .01-.03 No change.
    .04 Price Check Parameters: On a class-by-class basis, the Exchange 
may determine (and announce via Regulatory Circular) which of the 
following price check parameters will apply to eligible complex orders. 
Paragraphs (b) and (g) will not be applicable to stock-option orders.
    For purposes of this Interpretation and Policy .04:
    Vertical Spread. A ``vertical'' spread is a two-legged complex 
order with one

[[Page 18200]]

leg to buy a number of calls (puts) and one leg to sell the same number 
of calls (puts) with the same expiration date but different exercise 
prices.
    Butterfly Spread. A ``butterfly'' spread is a three-legged complex 
order with two legs to buy (sell) the same number of calls (puts) and 
one leg to sell (buy) twice as many calls (puts), all with the same 
expiration date but different exercise prices, and the exercise price 
of the middle leg is between the exercise prices of the other legs. If 
the exercise price of the middle leg is halfway between the exercise 
prices of the other legs, it is a ``true'' butterfly; otherwise, it is 
a ``skewed'' butterfly.
    Box Spread. A ``box'' spread is a four-legged complex order with 
one leg to buy calls and one leg to sell puts with one strike price, 
and one leg to sell calls and one leg to buy puts with another strike 
price, all of which have the same expiration date and are for the same 
number of contracts.
    To the extent a price check parameter is applicable, the Exchange 
will not automatically execute an eligible complex order that is:
    (a)-(d) No change.
    (e) Acceptable Percentage Range Parameter:
    (i) An incoming complex order (including a stock-option order) 
after [all leg]the series for all legs of the complex order are open 
for trading that is marketable and would execute immediately upon 
submission to the COB or following a COA if the execution would be at a 
price outside an acceptable percentage range. The ``acceptable 
percentage range'' is the national spread market (or Exchange spread 
market if the NBBO in any leg is locked, crossed or unavailable and for 
pairs of orders submitted to AIM or SAM) that existed when the System 
received the order or at the start of COA, as applicable, plus/minus:
    (A) the amount equal to a percentage (which may not be less than 
3%) of the national spread market (the ``percentage amount'') if that 
amount is not less than a minimum amount or greater than a maximum 
amount (the Exchange will determine the percentage and minimum and 
maximum amounts on a class-by-class basis and announce them to Trading 
Permit Holders by Regulatory Circular);
    (B) the minimum amount, if the percentage amount is less than the 
minimum amount; or
    (C) the maximum amount, if the percentage amount is greater than 
the maximum amount.
    (ii) The System cancels an order (or any remaining size after 
partial execution of the order) that would execute or rest in the COB 
at a price outside the acceptable price range.
    (iii) If the System rejects either order in a pair of orders 
submitted to AIM or SAM pursuant to this parameter, then the System 
also cancels the paired order. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with 
respect to an AIM Retained (``A:AIR'') order as defined in 
Interpretation and Policy .10 to Rule 6.51, if the System rejects the 
Agency Order pursuant to this check, then the System also rejects the 
contra-side order; however, if the System rejects the contra-side order 
pursuant to this check, the System still accepts the Agency Order if it 
satisfies the check. [To the extent a contra-side order or response is 
marketable against the Agency Order, the execution price will be capped 
at the opposite side of the acceptable price range.]
    (iv) This parameter applies to auction responses in the same manner 
as it does orders.
    (f)-(h) No change.
    .06-.07 No change.
* * * * *
    The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the 
Exchange's website (http://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange's Office of the 
Secretary, 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 aspects of such 
statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend its acceptable percentage range 
parameter for complex orders. In general, pursuant to the acceptable 
percentage range parameter in Rule 6.13, Interpretation and Policy 
.04(e), the System cancels an incoming order \5\ that is marketable and 
would execute immediately upon submission to the complex order book 
(``COB'') or following a COA if the execution would be at a price 
outside an acceptable percentage range, which is the national spread 
market that existed when the System received the order or at the start 
of COA, as applicable, plus/minus:
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    \5\ The current rule states this price protection applies to an 
incoming order after all leg series are open for trading. The 
proposed rule change makes a nonsubstantive change to this provision 
to clarify this means the protection applies to an incoming order 
after the series for all legs of the complex order are open for 
trading.
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     The amount equal to a percentage (which may not be less 
than 3%) of the national spread market (the ``percentage amount'') if 
that amount is not less than a minimum amount or greater than a maximum 
amount (the Exchange will determine the percentage and minimum and 
maximum amounts and announce them to Trading Permit Holders by 
Regulatory Circular);
     the minimum amount, if the percentage amount is less than 
the minimum amount; or
     the maximum amount, if the percentage amount is greater 
than the maximum amount.
    First, the proposed rule change amends Rule 6.13, Interpretation 
and Policy .04(e)(i)(A) to provide the Exchange may determine the 
percentage and the minimum and maximum amounts on a class-by-class 
basis. Currently, the rule states the percentage and minimum and 
maximum amounts will be the same for all classes. Because of class 
differences such as the minimum increment and option prices, the 
Exchange believes it may be appropriate to set different amounts so the 
outside of the range is not too close or too far away from the market 
price for a class and ensure the range creates an effective check for 
all classes. Therefore, the proposed rule change adds this flexibility 
to the Rule. Other price protections have similar flexibility.\6\
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    \6\ See, e.g., Rule 6.13, Interpretation and Policy .04(g).
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    Second, the proposed rule change adds Rule 6.13, Interpretation and 
Policy .04(e)(iv) to provide this parameter will apply to auction 
responses in the same manner as it does orders. The current parameter 
does not apply to auction responses. As noted in a recent rule filing 
enhancing this parameter, even if the parameter does not apply to 
auction responses, this protection will prevent an order from executing 
outside the acceptable price range (including against an auction 
response), and thus responses will not execute against an order outside 
the

[[Page 18201]]

acceptable price range.\7\ However, cancelling an auction response 
prior to the end of an auction that would execute outside the 
acceptable price range may give the submitting Trading Permit Holder an 
opportunity to submit a new response within the acceptable price range 
prior to the end of the auction, and thus increase execution 
opportunities. Therefore, the proposed rule change applies this 
parameter to auction response. An auction response at a price outside 
the acceptable price range will not execute regardless of whether this 
parameter applies to the auction response; applying the parameter to 
auction responses merely changes the timing of when the response is 
cancelled.\8\ Other price protections similarly apply to auction 
responses.\9\
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    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-80281 (March 20, 
2017), 82 FR 15074, note 24 (March 44, 2017) (SR-C2-2017-010).
    \8\ Paragraph (e)(iii) currently states to the extent a contra-
side order or response is marketable against the Agency Order, the 
execution price will be capped at the opposite side of the 
acceptable price range. The proposed rule change deletes this rule 
language, as it is redundant. The price protection will, as 
proposed, cancel orders and responses (or remaining size after 
partial execution) that would execute outside the acceptable price 
range. There [sic] is effectively the same as capping an execute 
[sic] price no wider than the acceptable price range, as no order or 
response will be able to execute at a price outside the range.
    \9\ See, e.g., Rule 6.13, Interpretation and Policy .04(c)(4).
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the 
Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the 
Act.\10\ Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change 
is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \11\ requirements that the rules 
of an exchange be 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 regulating, 
clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and 
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. 
Additionally, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is 
consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \12\ requirement that the rules of 
an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between 
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
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    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \12\ Id.
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    In particular, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change to 
provide the Exchange with flexibility to determine settings for the 
acceptable percentage range parameter on a class-by-class manner will 
permit the Exchange to ensure the range is not too close or too far 
away from the market price for a class based on factors such as minimum 
increment and premium, and thus ensure the range creates an effective 
check for all classes. This will protect investors from potentially 
erroneous executions while removing impediments to and perfecting the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system by 
ensuring orders are not inadvertently cancelled due to a range that is 
too narrow. Other price protections have similar flexibility.\13\
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    \13\ See, e.g., Rule 6.13, Interpretation and Policy .04(g).
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    The proposed rule change to apply the acceptable percentage range 
parameter to auction responses merely changes the time at which 
responses outside the acceptable price range is cancelled. However, 
application of the acceptable percentage range parameter to auction 
responses may permit the submitting Trading Permit Holder to enter a 
new auction response at a price within the range prior to the end of 
the auction, which improves execution opportunities and thus protects 
investors. Other price protections similarly apply to auction 
responses.\14\
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    \14\ See, e.g., Rule 6.13, Interpretation and Policy .04(c)(4).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    C2 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. The proposed rule change will 
apply to all complex orders submitted to C2 in the same manner. The 
enhancements to the acceptable percentage range parameter applicable to 
all incoming orders will help further prevent potentially erroneous 
executions, which benefits all market participants. Additionally, the 
proposed rule change is substantially similar to other price 
protections.\15\ The proposed rule change will not impose any burden on 
intermarket competition, as it applies only to C2 price protection 
mechanisms that prevent erroneous executions on C2.
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    \15\ See, e.g., Rule 6.13, Interpretation and Policy .04(c)(4) 
and (g).
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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 neither solicited nor received 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) of the Act \16\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\17\
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    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \17\ 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, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
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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
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-C2-2017-013 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.


[[Page 18202]]


All submissions should refer to File Number SR-C2-2017-013. 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 website (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 website viewing and printing in 
the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, 
DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 
3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection 
and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments 
received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit 
personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit 
only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-C2-2017-013 and should be 
submitted on or before May 8, 2017.
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    \18\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\18\
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-07636 Filed 4-14-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P