[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23775-23778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09282]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-91697; File No. SR-CBOE-2021-026]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Renew 
Its Nonstandard Expirations Pilot Program Until November 1, 2021

April 28, 2021.
    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 16, 2021, Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``Cboe 
Options'') 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 as a ``non-controversial'' proposed rule change 
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

    Cboe Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``Cboe Options'') proposes 
to renew an existing pilot program until November 1, 2021. The text of 
the proposed rule change is provided below.


[[Page 23776]]


(additions are italicized; deletions are [bracketed])
* * * * *
Rules of Cboe Exchange, Inc.
* * * * *

Rule 4.13. Series of Index Options

    (a)-(d) No change.
    (e) Nonstandard Expirations Pilot Program.
    (1)-(2) No change.
    (3) Duration of Nonstandard Expirations Pilot Program. The 
Nonstandard Expirations Pilot Program shall be through [May 3]November 
1, 2021.
* * * * *
    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
    On September 14, 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
``Commission'') approved a Cboe Options proposal to establish a pilot 
program under which the Exchange is permitted to list P.M.-settled 
options on broad-based indexes to expire on (a) any Friday of the 
month, other than the third Friday-of-the-month, and (b) the last 
trading day of the month.\5\ On January 14, 2016, the Commission 
approved a Cboe Options proposal to expand the pilot program to allow 
P.M.-settled options on broad-based indexes to expire on any Wednesday 
of month, other than those that coincide with an EOM.\6\ On August 10, 
2016, the Commission approved a Cboe Options proposal to expand the 
pilot program to allow P.M.-settled options on broad-based indexes to 
expire on any Monday of month, other than those that coincide with an 
EOM.\7\ Under the terms of the Nonstandard Expirations Pilot Program 
(``Program''), Weekly Expirations and EOMs are permitted on any broad-
based index that is eligible for regular options trading. Weekly 
Expirations and EOMs are cash-settled and have European-style exercise. 
The proposal became effective on a pilot basis for a period of fourteen 
months that commenced on the next full month after approval was 
received to establish the Program \8\ and was subsequently extended.\9\ 
Pursuant to Rule 4.13(e)(3),\10\ the Program is scheduled to expire on 
May 3, 2021. The Exchange believes that the Program has been successful 
and well received by its Trading Permit Holders and the investing 
public during that the time that it has been in operation. The Exchange 
hereby proposes to extend the Program until November 1, 2021. This 
proposal does not request any other changes to the Program.
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    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release 62911 (September 14, 
2010), 75 FR 57539 (September 21, 2010) (order approving SR-CBOE-
2009-075).
    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release 76909 (January 14, 
2016), 81 FR 3512 (January 21, 2016) (order approving SR-CBOE-2015-
106).
    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release 78531 (August 10, 2016), 
81 FR 54643 (August 16, 2016) (order approving SR-CBOE-2016-046).
    \8\ Id.
    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release 65741 (November 14, 
2011), 76 FR 72016 (November 21, 2011) (immediately effective rule 
change extending the Program through February 14, 2013). See also 
Securities Exchange Act Release 68933 (February 14, 2013), 78 FR 
12374 (February 22, 2013) (immediately effective rule change 
extending the Program through April 14, 2014); 71836 (April 1, 
2014), 79 FR 19139 (April 7, 2014) (immediately effective rule 
change extending the Program through November 3, 2014); 73422 
(October 24, 2014), 79 FR 64640 (October 30, 2014) (immediately 
effective rule change extending the Program through May 3, 2016); 
76909 (January 14, 2016), 81 FR 3512 (January 21, 2016) (extending 
the Program through May 3, 2017); 80387 (April 6, 2017), 82 FR 17706 
(April 12, 2017) (extending the Program through May 3, 2018); 83165 
(May 3, 2018), 83 FR 21316 (May 9, 2018) (SR-CBOE-2018-038) 
(extending the Program through November 5, 2018); 84534 (November 5, 
2019), 83 FR 56119 (November 9, 2018) (SR-CBOE-2018-070) (extending 
the Program through May 6, 2019); 85650 (April 15, 2019), 84 FR 
16552 (April 19, 2019) (SR-CBOE-2019-022) (extending the Program 
through November 4, 2019); 87462 (November 5, 2019), 84 FR 61108 
(November 12, 2019) (SR-CBOE-2019-104) (extending the Program 
through May 4, 2020); 88673 (April 16, 2020), 85 FR 22507 (April 22, 
2020) (SR-CBOE-2020-035) (extending the Program through November 2, 
2020); and 90262 (October 23, 2020) 85 FR 68616 (October 29, 2020) 
(SR-CBOE-2020-101) (extending the Program through May 3, 2021).
    \10\ The Exchange recently relocated prior Rule 24.9, containing 
the provision which governs the Program, to current Rule 4.13. See 
SR-CBOE-2019-092 (October 4, 2019), which did not make any 
substantive changes to prior Rule 24.9 and merely relocated it to 
Rule 4.13.
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    Pursuant to the order approving the establishment of the Program, 
two months prior to the conclusion of the pilot period, Cboe Options is 
required to submit an annual report to the Commission, which addresses 
the following areas: Analysis of Volume & Open Interest, Monthly 
Analysis of Weekly Expirations & EOM Trading Patterns and Provisional 
Analysis of Index Price Volatility. The Exchange has submitted, under 
separate cover, the annual report in connection with the present 
proposed rule change. Additionally, the Exchange will provide the 
Commission with any additional data or analyses the Commission requests 
because it deems such data or analyses necessary to determine whether 
the Program is consistent with the Exchange Act. The Exchange makes 
public all data and analyses previously submitted to the Commission 
under the Program,\11\ and will make public any data and analyses it 
makes to the Commission under the Program in the future.
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    \11\ Available at https://www.cboe.com/aboutcboe/legal-regulatory/national-market-system-plans/non-standard-expiration-data.
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    If, in the future, the Exchange proposes an additional extension of 
the Program, or should the Exchange propose to make the Program 
permanent (which the Exchange currently intends to do), the Exchange 
will submit an annual report (addressing the same areas referenced 
above and consistent with the order approving the establishment of the 
Program) to the Commission at least two months prior to the expiration 
date of the Program. The Exchange will also make this report public. 
Any positions established under the Program will not be impacted by the 
expiration of the Program.
    The Exchange believes there is sufficient investor interest and 
demand in the Program to warrant its extension. The Exchange believes 
that the Program has provided investors with additional means of 
managing their risk exposures and carrying out their investment 
objectives. Furthermore, the Exchange has not experienced any adverse 
market effects with respect to the Program.
    The Exchange believes that the proposed extension of the Program 
will not have an adverse impact on capacity.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange

[[Page 23777]]

and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\12\ 
Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is 
consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \13\ 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 
facilitation 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) \14\ requirement that the rules of 
an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between 
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
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    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \14\ Id.
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    In particular, the Exchange believes that the Program has been 
successful to date and states that it has not encountered any problems 
with the Program. The proposed rule change allows for an extension of 
the Program for the benefit of market participants. Additionally, the 
Exchange believes that there is demand for the expirations offered 
under the Program and believes that that Weekly Expirations and EOMs 
will continue to provide the investing public and other market 
participants increased opportunities to better manage their risk 
exposure.

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

    Cboe Options 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. Specifically, the Exchange 
believes that, by extending the expiration of the Program, the proposed 
rule change will allow for further analysis of the Program and a 
determination of how the Program shall be structured in the future. In 
doing so, the proposed rule change will also serve to promote 
regulatory clarity and consistency, thereby reducing burdens on the 
marketplace and facilitating investor protection.

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 \15\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\16\
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    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \16\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission 
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along 
with a brief description and 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. 
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \17\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the 
filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \18\ permits the Commission to 
designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest. 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 states that 
waiver of the 30-day operative delay will allow it to extend the 
Program prior to its expiration on May 3, 2021, and maintain the status 
quo, thereby reducing market disruption. The Commission believes that 
waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest as it will allow the Program to 
continue uninterrupted, thereby avoiding investor confusion that could 
result from a temporary interruption in the Program. Accordingly, the 
Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the 
proposed rule change as operative upon filing.\19\
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    \17\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \19\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has also 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 necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
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-CBOE-2021-026 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-CBOE-2021-026. 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. Persons submitting comments are

[[Page 23778]]

cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying 
information from comment submissions. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions 
should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2021-026 and should be submitted on 
or before May 25, 2021.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
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    \20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-09282 Filed 5-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P