[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 68 (Monday, April 8, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24372-24378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06187]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

17 CFR Parts 229, 232, 240, 249, and 274

[Release Nos. 34-99778; IC-35157; File No. S7-21-21]


Share Repurchase Disclosure Modernization

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; technical amendments.

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SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is 
adopting technical amendments to various rules and forms under the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act'') and the Investment 
Company Act of 1940 (``Investment Company Act'') to reflect a Federal 
court's vacatur of rule amendments that the Commission adopted on May 
3, 2023, to modernize and improve disclosure about repurchases of an 
issuer's equity securities that are registered under the Exchange Act 
(``Repurchase Rule''). The court's vacatur of the Repurchase Rule was 
effective as of December 19, 2023, and had the legal effect of 
reverting to the rules and forms that existed prior to the effective 
date of the Repurchase Rule. These technical amendments revise the Code 
of Federal Regulations (``CFR'') to reflect the court's vacatur of the 
Repurchase Rule.

DATES: This rule is effective April 8, 2024. The Federal court's 
vacatur of the rule amendments was applicable as of December 19, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian D. Sims, Special Counsel, Office 
of Rulemaking, at (202) 551-3430, Division of Corporation Finance; and, 
with respect to the application to investment companies, Andrew Deglin, 
Counsel, at (202) 551-6792, Investment Company Regulation Office, 
Division of Investment Management; U.S. Securities and Exchange 
Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is adopting technical 
amendments to the following rules and forms:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Commission reference                CFR citation (17 CFR)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulation S-K:
    Items 10 through 1305..............  Sec.  Sec.   229.10 through
                                          229.1305.
    Item 408...........................  Sec.   229.408.
    Item 601...........................  Sec.   229.601.
    Item 703...........................  Sec.   229.703.
Regulation S-T:
    Rules 10 through 903...............  Sec.  Sec.   232.10 through
                                          232.903.
    Rule 405...........................  Sec.   232.405.
Exchange Act: \1\
    Rule 13a-21........................  Sec.   240.13a-21.
    Form F-SR..........................  Sec.   249.333.
    Form 20-F..........................  Sec.   249.220f.
    Form 10-Q..........................  Sec.   249.308a.
    Form 10-K..........................  Sec.   249.310.
    Form N-CSR.........................  Sec.  Sec.   249.331 and
                                          274.128.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 24373]]

I. Background
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.
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    On May 3, 2023, the Commission adopted the Repurchase Rule, which 
modernized and improved disclosures about repurchases of an issuer's 
equity securities that are registered under the Exchange Act, and it 
became effective on July 31, 2023.\2\ On December 19, 2023, the U.S. 
Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated the Repurchase Rule.\3\ 
The court's vacatur of the Repurchase Rule was effective as of December 
19, 2023 and had the legal effect of reverting to the rules and forms 
that existed prior to the effective date of the Repurchase Rule. These 
technical amendments reflect the vacatur in the CFR by rescinding the 
changes to the rules and forms promulgated under the Exchange Act and 
the Investment Company Act, including the addition of new Form F-SR, 
that were implemented under the now vacated Repurchase Rule. The text 
of Forms 20-F, 10-Q, 10-K, and N-CSR do not appear in the CFR.\4\
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    \2\ Share Repurchase Disclosure Modernization, Release No. 34-
97424 (May 3, 2023) [88 FR 36002 (June 1, 2023)].
    \3\ Chamber of Com. of the USA v. SEC, 88 F.4th 1115 (5th Cir. 
2023).
    \4\ Forms 20-F, 10-Q and 10-K can be found at: https://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/forms/exchange.shtml and Form N-CSR 
can be found at: https://www.sec.gov/files/formn-csr.pdf. The 
court's order vacated new Form F-SR.
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II. Procedural and Other Matters

    The Administrative Procedure Act (``APA'') generally requires an 
agency to publish notice of a rulemaking in the Federal Register and 
provide an opportunity for public comment. This requirement does not 
apply, however, if the agency ``for good cause finds . . . that notice 
and public procedure are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' \5\
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    \5\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
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    The technical amendments do not impose any new substantive 
regulatory requirements on any person and merely reflect the vacatur of 
the Repurchase Rule. For these reasons, for good cause, the Commission 
finds that notice and public comment are unnecessary.\6\
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    \6\ This finding also satisfies the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 
808(2), allowing the amendments to become effective notwithstanding 
the requirement of 5 U.S.C. 801 (if a federal agency finds that 
notice and public comment are impractical, unnecessary or contrary 
to the public interest, a rule shall take effect at such time as the 
federal agency promulgating the rule determines). The amendments 
also do not require analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. 
See 5 U.S.C. 604(a) (requiring a final regulatory flexibility 
analysis only for rules required by the APA or other law to undergo 
notice and comment).
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    For similar reasons, although the APA generally requires 
publication of a rule at least 30 days before its effective date, the 
Commission finds there is good cause for the amendments to take effect 
on April 8, 2024.\7\
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    \7\ See 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
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    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs has designated these amendments not a ``major 
rule,'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

Statutory Authority

    The amendments contained in this release are being adopted under 
the authority set forth in sections 12, 13, 15, and 23(a) of the 
Exchange Act, and Sections 8, 23, 24(a), 30, 31, and 38 of the 
Investment Company Act.

List of Subjects in 17 CFR Parts 229, 232, 240, 249, and 274

    Reporting and record keeping requirements, Securities.

Text of Amendments

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Commission amends 
title 17, chapter II of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 229--STANDARD INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING FORMS UNDER SECURITIES 
ACT OF 1933, SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND ENERGY POLICY AND 
CONSERVATION ACT OF 1975--REGULATION S-K

0
1. The authority citation for part 229 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 77e, 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77k, 77s, 77z-2, 
77z-3, 77aa(25), 77aa(26), 77ddd, 77eee, 77ggg, 77hhh, 77iii, 77jjj, 
77nnn, 77sss, 78c, 78i, 78j, 78j-3, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78n-1, 78o, 78u-
5, 78w, 78ll, 78 mm, 80a-8, 80a-9, 80a-20, 80a-29, 80a-30, 80a-
31(c), 80a-37, 80a-38(a), 80a-39, 80b-11 and 7201 et seq.; 18 U.S.C. 
1350; sec. 953(b), Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1904 (2010); and sec. 
102(c), Pub. L. 112-106, 126 Stat. 310 (2012).


Sec.  229.408   [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec.  229.408 by removing and reserving paragraph (d).


Sec.  229.601   [Amended]

0
3. Amend Sec.  229.601 by:
0
a. In the exhibit table in paragraph (a), removing and reserving entry 
(26); and
0
b. Removing and reserving paragraph (b)(26).

0
4. Revise Sec.  229.703 to read as follows:


Sec.  229.703   (Item 703) Purchases of equity securities by the issuer 
and affiliated purchasers.

    (a) In the following tabular format, provide the information 
specified in paragraph (b) of this Item with respect to any purchase 
made by or on behalf of the issuer or any ``affiliated purchaser,'' as 
defined in Sec.  240.10b-18(a)(3) of this chapter of shares or other 
units of any class of the issuer's equity securities that is registered 
by the issuer pursuant to section 12 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 
781).

                                                          Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                  (d) Maximum number (or
                                                                                                          (c) Total number of       approximate dollar
                                                                   (a) Total number  (b) Average price     shares (or units)       value) of shares (or
                             Period                                 of shares (or      paid per share     purchased as part of    units) that may yet be
                                                                   units) purchased      (or unit)         publicly announced      purchased under the
                                                                                                           plans or programs        plans or programs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #1 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #2 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #3 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total
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[[Page 24374]]

    (b) The table shall include the following information for each 
class or series of securities for each month included in the period 
covered by the report:
    (1) The total number of shares (or units) purchased (column (a));
    Instruction to paragraph (b)(1) of Item 703: Include in this column 
all issuer repurchases, including those made pursuant to publicly 
announced plans or programs and those not made pursuant to publicly 
announced plans or programs. Briefly disclose, by footnote to the 
table, the number of shares purchased other than through a publicly 
announced plan or program and the nature of the transaction (e.g., 
whether the purchases were made in open-market transactions, tender 
offers, in satisfaction of the company's obligations upon exercise of 
outstanding put options issued by the company, or other transactions).
    (2) The average price paid per share (or unit) (column (b));
    (3) The total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of 
publicly announced repurchase plans or programs (column (c)); and
    (4) The maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or 
units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (column 
(d)).
    Instructions to paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of Item 703:
    1. In the table, disclose this information in the aggregate for all 
plans or programs publicly announced.
    2. By footnote to the table, indicate:
    a. The date each plan or program was announced;
    b. The dollar amount (or share or unit amount) approved;
    c. The expiration date (if any) of each plan or program;
    d. Each plan or program that has expired during the period covered 
by the table; and
    e. Each plan or program the issuer has determined to terminate 
prior to expiration, or under which the issuer does not intend to make 
further purchases.
    Instruction to Item 703: Disclose all purchases covered by this 
Item, including purchases that do not satisfy the conditions of the 
safe harbor of Sec.  240.10b-18 of this chapter.

PART 232--REGULATION S-T--GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR 
ELECTRONIC FILINGS

0
5. The general authority citation for part 232 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 77c, 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s(a), 77z-3, 
77sss(a), 78c(b), 78l, 78m, 78n, 78o(d), 78w(a), 78ll, 80a-6(c), 
80a-8, 80a-29, 80a-30, 80a-37, 80b-4, 80b-6a, 80b-10, 80b-11, 7201 
et seq.; and 18 U.S.C. 1350, unless otherwise noted.
* * * * *

0
6. Amend Sec.  232.405 by:
0
a. Revising the introductory text and paragraphs (a)(2) and (4) and 
(b)(4)(iii);
0
b. Removing and reserving paragraph (b)(4)(iv); and
0
c. Revising Note 1 to Sec.  232.405.
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  232.405   Interactive Data File submissions.

    This section applies to electronic filers that submit Interactive 
Data Files. Section 229.601(b)(101) of this chapter (Item 601(b)(101) 
of Regulation S-K), General Instruction F of Sec.  249.311 (Form 11-K), 
paragraph (101) of Part II--Information Not Required to be Delivered to 
Offerees or Purchasers of Form F-10 (Sec.  239.40 of this chapter), 
paragraph 101 of the Instructions as to Exhibits of Form 20-F (Sec.  
249.220f of this chapter), paragraph B.(15) of the General Instructions 
to Form 40-F (Sec.  249.240f of this chapter), paragraph C.(6) of the 
General Instructions to Form 6-K (Sec.  249.306 of this chapter), Sec.  
240.17Ad-27(d) of this chapter (Rule 17Ad-27(d) under the Exchange 
Act), Note D.5 of Sec.  240.14a-101 of this chapter (Rule 14a-101 under 
the Exchange Act), Item 1 of Sec.  240.14c-101 of this chapter (Rule 
14c-101 under the Exchange Act), General Instruction C.3.(g) of Form N-
1A (Sec. Sec.  239.15A and 274.11A of this chapter), General 
Instruction I of Form N-2 (Sec. Sec.  239.14 and 274.11a-1 of this 
chapter), General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-3 (Sec. Sec.  239.17a 
and 274.11b of this chapter), General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-4 
(Sec. Sec.  239.17b and 274.11c of this chapter), General Instruction 
C.3.(h) of Form N-6 (Sec. Sec.  239.17c and 274.11d of this chapter), 
General Instruction 2.(l) of Form N-8B-2 (Sec.  274.12 of this 
chapter), General Instruction 5 of Form S-6 (Sec.  239.16 of this 
chapter), General Instruction C.4 of Form N-CSR (Sec. Sec.  249.331 and 
274.128 of this chapter), Sec. Sec.  242.829 and 831 of this chapter 
(Rules 829 and 831 of Regulation SE), and the Registration Instructions 
to Form SBSEF (Sec.  249.1701 of this chapter) specify when electronic 
filers are required or permitted to submit an Interactive Data File 
(Sec.  232.11), as further described in note 1 to this section. This 
section imposes content, format, and submission requirements for an 
Interactive Data File, but does not change the substantive content 
requirements for the financial and other disclosures in the Related 
Official Filing (Sec.  232.11).
    (a) * * *
    (2) Be submitted only by an electronic filer either required or 
permitted to submit an Interactive Data File as specified by Sec.  
229.601(b)(101) of this chapter (Item 601(b)(101) of Regulation S-K), 
Instruction F of Form 11-K (Sec.  249.311 of this chapter), paragraph 
(101) of Part II--Information Not Required to be Delivered to Offerees 
or Purchasers of Form F-10 (Sec.  239.40 of this chapter), paragraph 
101 of the Instructions as to Exhibits of Form 20-F (Sec.  249.220f of 
this chapter), paragraph B.(15) of the General Instructions to Form 40-
F (Sec.  249.240f of this chapter), paragraph C.(6) of the General 
Instructions to Form 6-K (Sec.  249.306 of this chapter), Sec.  
240.17Ad-27(d) of this chapter (Rule 17Ad-27(d) under the Exchange 
Act), Note D.5 of Sec.  240.14a-101 of this chapter (Rule 14a-101 under 
the Exchange Act), Item 1 of Sec.  240.14c-101 of this chapter (Rule 
14c-101 under the Exchange Act), General Instruction C.3.(g) of Form N-
1A (Sec. Sec.  239.15A and 274.11A of this chapter), General 
Instruction I of Form N-2 (Sec. Sec.  239.14 and 274.11a-1 of this 
chapter), General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-3 (Sec. Sec.  239.17a 
and 274.11b of this chapter), General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-4 
(Sec. Sec.  239.17b and 274.11c of this chapter), General Instruction 
C.3.(h) of Form N-6 (Sec. Sec.  239.17c and 274.11d of this chapter), 
General Instruction 2.(l) of Form N-8B-2 (Sec.  274.12 of this 
chapter), General Instruction 5 of Form S-6 (Sec.  239.16 of this 
chapter), General Instruction C.4 of Form N-CSR (Sec. Sec.  249.331 and 
274.128 of this chapter), Sec. Sec.  242.829 and 242.831 of this 
chapter (Rules 829 and 831 of Regulation SE), and the Registration 
Instructions to Form SBSEF (Sec.  249.1701 of this chapter), as 
applicable;
* * * * *
    (4) Be submitted in accordance with the EDGAR Filer Manual and, as 
applicable, Item 601(b)(101) of Sec.  229.601(b)(101) of this chapter 
(Regulation S-K), General Instruction F of Form 11-K (Sec.  249.311 of 
this chapter), paragraph (101) of Part II--Information Not Required to 
be Delivered to Offerees or Purchasers of Form F-10 (Sec.  239.40 of 
this chapter), paragraph 101 of the Instructions as to Exhibits of Form 
20-F (Sec.  249.220f of this chapter), paragraph B.(15) of the General 
Instructions to Form 40-F (Sec.  249.240f of this chapter), paragraph 
C.(6) of the General Instructions to Form 6-K (Sec.  249.306 of this 
chapter), Sec.  240.17Ad-27(d) of this chapter (Rule 17Ad-27(d) under 
the Exchange Act), Note D.5 of Sec.  240.14a-101 of this chapter (Rule 
14a-101 under the Exchange Act), Item 1 of Sec.  240.14c-101 of this 
chapter (Rule 14c-

[[Page 24375]]

101 under the Exchange Act), General Instruction C.3.(g) of Form N-1A 
(Sec. Sec.  239.15A and 274.11A of this chapter), General Instruction I 
of Form N-2 (Sec. Sec.  239.14 and 274.11a-1 of this chapter), General 
Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-3 (Sec. Sec.  239.17a and 274.11b of this 
chapter), General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-4 (Sec. Sec.  239.17b 
and 274.11c of this chapter), General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-6 
(Sec. Sec.  239.17c and 274.11d of this chapter), Instruction 2.(l) of 
Form N-8B-2 (Sec.  274.12 of this chapter); General Instruction 5 of 
Form S-6 (Sec.  239.16 of this chapter); General Instruction C.4 of 
Form N-CSR (Sec. Sec.  249.331 and 274.128 of this chapter), Sec. Sec.  
242.829 and 831 of this chapter.
    (b) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (iii) Any disclosure provided in response to: Sec.  229.402(x) of 
this chapter (Item 402(x) of Regulation S-K); Sec.  229.408(a)(1) and 
(2) of this chapter (Item 408(a)(1) and (2) of Regulation S-K); Sec.  
229.408(b)(1) of this chapter (Item 408(b)(1) of Regulation S-K); and 
Item 16J(a) of Form 20-F (Sec.  249.220f of this chapter).
* * * * *
    Note 1 to Sec.  232.405: Section 229.601(b)(101) of this chapter 
(Item 601(b)(101) of Regulation S-K) specifies the circumstances under 
which an Interactive Data File must be submitted and the circumstances 
under which it is permitted to be submitted, with respect to Sec.  
239.11 of this chapter (Form S-1), Sec.  239.13 of this chapter (Form 
S-3), Sec.  239.25 of this chapter (Form S-4), Sec.  239.18 of this 
chapter (Form S-11), Sec.  239.31 of this chapter (Form F-1), Sec.  
239.33 of this chapter (Form F-3), Sec.  239.34 of this chapter (Form 
F-4), Sec.  249.310 of this chapter (Form 10-K), Sec.  249.308a of this 
chapter (Form 10-Q), and Sec.  249.308 of this chapter (Form 8-K). 
General Instruction F of Sec.  249.311 of this chapter (Form 11-K) 
specifies the circumstances under which an Interactive Data File must 
be submitted, and the circumstances under which it is permitted to be 
submitted, with respect to Form 11-K. Paragraph (101) of Part II--
Information not Required to be Delivered to Offerees or Purchasers of 
Sec.  239.40 of this chapter (Form F-10) specifies the circumstances 
under which an Interactive Data File must be submitted and the 
circumstances under which it is permitted to be submitted, with respect 
to Form F-10. Paragraph 101 of the Instructions as to Exhibits of Sec.  
249.220f of this chapter (Form 20-F) specifies the circumstances under 
which an Interactive Data File must be submitted and the circumstances 
under which it is permitted to be submitted, with respect to Form 20-F. 
Paragraph B.(15) of the General Instructions to Sec.  249.240f of this 
chapter (Form 40-F) and Paragraph C.(6) of the General Instructions to 
Sec.  249.306 of this chapter (Form 6-K) specify the circumstances 
under which an Interactive Data File must be submitted and the 
circumstances under which it is permitted to be submitted, with respect 
to Sec.  249.240f of this chapter (Form 40-F) and Sec.  249.306 of this 
chapter (Form 6-K). Section 240.17Ad-27(d) of this chapter (Rule 17Ad-
27(d) under the Exchange Act) specifies the circumstances under which 
an Interactive Data File must be submitted with respect the reports 
required under Rule 17Ad-27. Note D.5 of Sec.  240.14a-101 of this 
chapter (Schedule 14A) and Item 1 of Sec.  240.14c-101 of this chapter 
(Schedule 14C) specify the circumstances under which an Interactive 
Data File must be submitted with respect to Schedules 14A and 14C. 
Sec. Sec.  242.829 and 242.831 of this chapter (Rules 829 and 831 of 
Regulation SE) and the Registration Instructions to Sec.  249.1701 of 
this chapter (Form SBSEF), as applicable, specify the circumstances 
under which an Interactive Data File must be submitted with respect to 
filings made under Regulation SE. Item 601(b)(101) of Regulation S-K, 
paragraph (101) of Part II--Information not Required to be Delivered to 
Offerees or Purchasers of Form F-10, paragraph 101 of the Instructions 
as to Exhibits of Form 20-F, paragraph B.(15) of the General 
Instructions to Form 40-F, and paragraph C.(6) of the General 
Instructions to Form 6-K all prohibit submission of an Interactive Data 
File by an issuer that prepares its financial statements in accordance 
with Sec. Sec.  210.6-01 through 210.6-10 of this chapter (Article 6 of 
Regulation S-X). For an issuer that is a management investment company 
or separate account registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 
(15 U.S.C. 80a et seq.) or a business development company as defined in 
section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-
2(a)(48)), General Instruction C.3.(g) of Form N-1A (Sec. Sec.  239.15A 
and 274.11A of this chapter), General Instruction I of Form N-2 
(Sec. Sec.  239.14 and 274.11a-1 of this chapter), General Instruction 
C.3.(h) of Form N-3 (Sec. Sec.  239.17a and 274.11b of this chapter), 
General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-4 (Sec. Sec.  239.17b and 274.11c 
of this chapter), General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-6 (Sec. Sec.  
239.17c and 274.11d of this chapter), General Instruction 2.(l) of 
Sec.  274.12 of this chapter (Form N-8B-2), General Instruction 5 of 
Sec.  239.16 of this chapter (Form S-6), and General Instruction C.4 of 
Sec. Sec.  249.331 and 274.128 of this chapter (Form N-CSR) specify 
when electronic filers are required or permitted to submit an 
Interactive Data File (Sec.  232.11), as further described in note 1 to 
this section and General Instruction C.4 of Form N-CSR (Sec. Sec.  
249.331 and 274.128 of this chapter), as applicable, specifies the 
circumstances under which an Interactive Data File must be submitted.

PART 240--GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 
1934

0
7. The general authority citation for part 240 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 77c, 77d, 77g, 77j, 77s, 77z-2, 77z-3, 
77eee, 77ggg, 77nnn, 77sss, 77ttt, 78c, 78c-3, 78c-5, 78d, 78e, 78f, 
78g, 78i, 78j, 78j-1, 78j-4, 78k, 78k-1, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78n-1, 78o, 
78o-4, 78o-10, 78p, 78q, 78q-1, 78s, 78u-5, 78w, 78x, 78dd, 78ll, 
78mm, 80a-20, 80a-23, 80a-29, 80a-37, 80b-3, 80b-4, 80b-11, 7201 et 
seq., and 8302; 7 U.S.C. 2(c)(2)(E); 12 U.S.C. 5221(e)(3); 18 U.S.C. 
1350; and Pub. L. 111-203, 939A, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010); and Pub. L. 
112-106, sec. 503 and 602, 126 Stat. 326 (2012), unless otherwise 
noted.
* * * * *


Sec.  240.13a-21   [Removed and Reserved]

0
8. Remove and reserve Sec.  240.13a-21.

PART 249--FORMS, SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

0
9. The authority citation for part 249 continues to read, in part, as 
follows:

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 78a et seq. and 7201 et seq.; 12 U.S.C. 
5461 et seq.; 18 U.S.C. 1350; Sec. 953(b) Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 
1904; Sec. 102(a)(3) Pub. L. 112-106, 126 Stat. 309 (2012), Sec. 107 
Pub. L. 112-106, 126 Stat. 313 (2012), Sec. 72001 Pub. L. 114-94, 
129 Stat. 1312 (2015), and secs. 2 and 3 Pub. L. 116-222, 134 Stat. 
1063 (2020), unless otherwise noted.

    Section 249.220f is also issued under secs. 3(a), 202, 208, 302, 
306(a), 401(a), 401(b), 406 and 407, Pub. L. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745, 
and secs. 2 and 3, Pub. L. 116-222, 134 Stat. 1063.
* * * * *
    Section 249.308a is also issued under secs. 3(a) and 302, Pub. 
L. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745.
* * * * *
    Section 249.310 is also issued under secs. 3(a), 202, 208, 302, 
406 and 407, Pub. L. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745.
* * * * *

0
10. Amend Form 20-F (referenced in Sec.  249.220f) by revising Part II, 
Item 16E.

    Note:  Form 20-F is attached as appendix A to this document. 
Form 20-F will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.


[[Page 24376]]



0
11. Amend Form 10-Q (referenced in Sec.  249.308a) by revising the 
heading of Item 2 in Part II, paragraph (c) to Item 2 in Part II, and 
paragraph (c) to Item 5 in Part II.

    Note:  Form 10-Q is attached as appendix B to this document. 
Form 10-Q will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.


0
12. Amend Form 10-K (referenced in Sec.  249.310) by revising General 
Instruction J(1)(l), paragraph (c) to Item 5 in Part II and Item 9B in 
Part II.

    Note:  Form 10-K is attached as appendix C to this document. 
Form 10-K will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Sec.  249.333   [Removed and Reserved]

0
13. Remove and reserve Sec.  249.333.

0
14. Remove Form F-SR (referenced in Sec.  249.333).

    Note:  Form F-SR did not appear in the Code of Federal 
Regulations.

PART 274--FORMS PRESCRIBED UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

0
15. The general authority citation for part 274 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s, 78c(b), 78l, 78m, 
78n, 78o(d), 80a-8, 80a-24, 80a-26, 80a-29, and 80a-37 unless 
otherwise noted.
* * * * *

0
16. Amend Form N-CSR (referenced in Sec. Sec.  249.331 and 274.128) by 
revising Item 14.

    Note:  Form N-CSR is attached as appendix D to this document. 
Form N-CSR will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.


    By the Commission.

    Dated: March 19, 2024.
Vanessa A. Countryman,
Secretary.

    Note:  The following appendices will not appear in the Code of 
Federal Regulations.

Appendix A--Form 20-F

Form 20-F

* * * * *

Part II

* * * * *

Item 16E Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated 
Purchasers

    (a) In the following tabular format, provide the information 
specified in paragraph (b) of this Item with respect to any purchase 
made by or on behalf of the issuer or any ``affiliated purchaser,'' 
as defined in Sec.  240.10b-18(a)(3), of shares or other units of 
any class of the issuer's equity securities that is registered by 
the issuer pursuant to section 12 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 
78l).

                                                          Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                  (d) Maximum number (or
                                                                                                          (c) Total number of       approximate dollar
                                                                   (a) Total number  (b) Average price     shares (or units)       value) of shares (or
                             Period                                 of shares (or      paid per share     purchased as part of    units) that may yet be
                                                                   units) purchased      (or unit)         publicly announced      purchased under the
                                                                                                           plans or programs        plans or programs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #1 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #2 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #3 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #4 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #5 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #6 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #7 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #8 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #9 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #10 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #11 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #12 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) The table shall include the following information for each 
class or series of securities for each month included in the period 
covered by the report:
    (1) The total number of shares (or units) purchased (column 
(a)).

Instruction to Paragraph (b)(1) of Item 16E

    Include in this column all issuer repurchases, including those 
made pursuant to publicly announced plans or programs and those not 
made pursuant to publicly announced plans or programs. Briefly 
disclose, by footnote to the table, the number of shares purchased 
other than through a publicly announced plan or program and the 
nature of the transaction (e.g., whether the purchases were made in 
open-market transactions, tender offers, in satisfaction of the 
company's obligations upon exercise of outstanding put options 
issued by the company, or other transactions).
    (2) The average price paid per share (or unit) (column (b)).
    (3) The number of shares (or units) purchased as part of a 
publicly announced repurchase plan or program (column (c)).
    (4) The maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares 
(or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs 
(column (d)).

Instructions to Paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of Item 16E

    1. In the table, disclose this information in the aggregate for 
all plans or programs publicly announced.

[[Page 24377]]

    2. By footnote to the table, indicate:
    a. The date each plan or program was announced;
    b. The dollar amount (or share or unit amount) approved;
    c. The expiration date (if any) of each plan or program;
    d. Each plan or program that has expired during the period 
covered by the table; and
    e. Each plan or program the issuer has determined to terminate 
prior to expiration, or under which the issuer does not intend to 
make further purchases.

Instruction to Item 16E

    Disclose all purchases covered by this item, including purchases 
that do not satisfy the conditions of the safe harbor of Sec.  
240.10b-18. Price data and other data should be stated in the same 
currency used in the issuer's primary financial statements provided 
in Item 8 of this Form.
* * * * *

Appendix B--Form 10-Q

Form 10-Q

* * * * *

Part II--Other Information

* * * * *
    Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of 
Proceeds.
* * * * *
    (c) Furnish the information required by Item 703 of Regulation 
S-K (Sec.  229.703 of this chapter) for any repurchase made in the 
quarter covered by the report. Provide disclosures covering 
repurchases made on a monthly basis. For example, if the quarter 
began on January 16 and ended on April 15, the chart would show 
repurchases for the months from January 16 through February 15, 
February 16 through March 15, and March 16 through April 15.
* * * * *
    Item 5. Other Information.
* * * * *
    (c) Furnish the information required by Items 408(a) of 
Regulation S-K (Sec.  229.408(a)).
* * * * *

Appendix C--Form 10-K

Form 10-K

* * * * *

General Instructions

* * * * *

J. Use of This Form by Asset-Backed Issuers

* * * * *
    (1) * * *
* * * * *
    (l) Item 9A, Controls and Procedures;
* * * * *

Part II

* * * * *

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder 
Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

* * * * *
    (c) Furnish the information required by Item 703 of Regulation 
S-K (Sec.  229.703 of this chapter) for any repurchase made in a 
month within the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by the 
report. Provide disclosures covering repurchases made on a monthly 
basis. For example, if the fourth quarter began on January 16 and 
ended on April 15, the chart would show repurchases for the months 
from January 16 through February 15, February 16 through March 15, 
and March 16 through April 15.
* * * * *

Item 9B. Other Information

    (a) The registrant must disclose under this item any information 
required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K during the fourth 
quarter of the year covered by this Form 10-K, but not reported, 
whether or not otherwise required by this Form 10-K. If disclosure 
of such information is made under this item, it need not be repeated 
in a report on Form 8-K which would otherwise be required to be 
filed with respect to such information or in a subsequent report on 
Form 10-K.
    (b) Furnish the information required by Item 408(a) of 
Regulation S-K (Sec.  229.408(a) of this chapter).
* * * * *

Appendix D--Form N-CSR

Form N-CSR

* * * * *

Item 14. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management 
Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

    (a) If the registrant is a closed-end management investment 
company, in the following tabular format, provide the information 
specified in paragraph (b) of this Item with respect to any purchase 
made by or on behalf of the registrant or any ``affiliated 
purchaser,'' as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act 
(17 CFR 240.10b-18(a)(3)), of shares or other units of any class of 
the registrant's equity securities that is registered by the 
registrant pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 
781).
    Instruction to paragraph (a).
    Disclose all purchases covered by this Item, including purchases 
that do not satisfy the conditions of the safe harbor of Rule 10b-18 
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10b-18), made in the period 
covered by the report. Provide disclosures covering repurchases made 
on a monthly basis. For example, if the reporting period began on 
January 16 and ended on July 15, the chart would show repurchases 
for the months from January 16 through February 15, February 16 
through March 15, March 16 through April 15, April 16 through May 
15, May 16 through June 15, and June 16 through July 15.

                                                        Registrant Purchases of Equity Securities
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                  (d) Maximum number (or
                                                                                                          (c) Total number of       approximate dollar
                                                                   (a) Total number  (b) Average price     shares (or units)       value) of shares (or
                             Period                                 of shares (or      paid per share     purchased as part of    units) that may yet be
                                                                   units) purchased      (or unit)         publicly announced      purchased under the
                                                                                                           plans or programs        plans or programs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #1 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #2 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #3 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #4 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #5 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month #6 (identify beginning and ending dates).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) The table shall include the following information for each 
class or series of securities for each month included in the period 
covered by the report:
    (1) The total number of shares (or units) purchased (column 
(a));
    Instruction to paragraph (b)(1).
    Include in this column all repurchases by the registrant, 
including those made pursuant to publicly announced plans or 
programs and those not made pursuant to publicly

[[Page 24378]]

announced plans or programs. Briefly disclose, by footnote to the 
table, the number of shares purchased other than through a publicly 
announced plan or program and the nature of the transaction (e.g., 
whether the purchases were made in open-market transactions, tender 
offers, in satisfaction of the registrant's obligations upon 
exercise of outstanding put options issued by the registrant, or 
other transactions).
    (2) The average price paid per share (or unit) (column (b));
    (3) The number of shares (or units) purchased as part of 
publicly announced repurchase plans or programs (column (c)); and
    (4) The maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares 
(or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs 
(column (d)).
    Instructions to paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4).
    1. In the table, disclose this information in the aggregate for 
all plans or programs publicly announced.
    2. By footnote to the table, indicate:
    a. The date each plan or program was announced;
    b. The dollar amount (or share or unit amount) approved;
    c. The expiration date (if any) of each plan or program;
    d. Each plan or program that has expired during the period 
covered by the table; and
    e. Each plan or program the registrant has determined to 
terminate prior to expiration, or under which the registrant does 
not intend to make further purchases.

[FR Doc. 2024-06187 Filed 4-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P