Self-regulatory organizations; proposed rule changes: Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc.,
[Federal Register: May 22, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 98)]
[Notices]
[Page 28732-28733]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22my07-117]
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-55772; File No. SR-CBOE-2007-45]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Implementation of a ``Holdback Timer''
May 16, 2007.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that on May 8, 2007, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (``Exchange'' or ``CBOE'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been substantially 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.
\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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Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend CBOE Rule 6.23A pertaining to the implementation of a ``holdback timer.'' The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site (http://www.cboe.com),
at the Exchange's Office of the Secretary and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.
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Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization 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 those 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 the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
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Purpose
CBOE proposes to implement an additional quote mitigation strategy. Specifically, CBOE intends to systematically limit the dissemination of quotations and other changes to CBOE's best bid and offer (e.g., orders that improve CBOE's best bid and offer) according to prescribed time criteria (``holdback timer''). For instance, if there is a change in the price of a security underlying an option, multiple market participants may adjust the price or size of their quotes. Rather than disseminating each individual change, the holdback timer permits CBOE to wait until multiple market participants have adjusted their quotes and then to disseminate a new quotation. This mechanism helps to prevent the ``flickering'' of quotations. CBOE proposes to codify the holdback timer in Rule 6.23A.
CBOE will utilize a holdback timer that delays quotation updates to OPRA for no longer than one (1) second, and will only be used in option classes trading on the Hybrid Trading System and Hybrid 2.0 Platform. CBOE may vary the holdback timer by option class. If the holdback timer is not being utilized in an option class trading on the Hybrid Trading System or Hybrid 2.0 Platform, CBOE will notify its members. CBOE does not intend to disclose the length of the holdback timer to its members or non-members. CBOE notes that the holdback timer addresses the dissemination to OPRA of quotation updates and other changes to CBOE's best bid and offer, and not the execution of orders.
The Commission recently approved the International Securities Exchange's (``ISE'') and the American Stock Exchange's (``Amex'') usage of a holdback timer as a quote mitigation strategy.\5\ Additionally, and as noted in the approval orders codifying the ISE's and Amex's usage of a holdback timer, the Securities Information and Financial Markets Association strongly endorsed the usage of a holdback timer as a quote mitigation strategy.\6\
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 55161 (January 24, 2007), 72 FR 4754 (February 1, 2007) (order approving SR-ISE-2006- 62); 55162 (January 24, 2007), 72 FR 4738 (February 1, 2007) (order approving SR-Amex-2006-106).
\6\ Id.
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Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act
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and the rules and regulations under the Act applicable to a national securities exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\7\ Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) requirements that the rules of an exchange be designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.\8\
\7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
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 proposal.
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Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
Because the proposed rule change: (1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) does not become operative for 30 days after the date of the filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \9\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\10\
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required by Rule 19b- 4(f)(6)(iii) under the Act, the Exchange also provided with the Commission with 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 the proposed rule change.
The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay and allow the proposed rule change to become operative immediately. The Commission hereby grants that request.\11\ The Commission believes that it is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the CBOE may immediately begin using the holdback timer in an effort to mitigate quotes on the CBOE. The Commission does not believe that implementation of the holdback timer raises any novel issues of regulatory concern as the Commission previously approved the use of substantively similar quote mitigation strategies by the ISE and Amex.\12\
\11\ 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).
\12\ See note 5, supra.
At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate 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.
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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 e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File Number SR-CBOE-2007-45 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2007-45. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail 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 inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the CBOE. 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-CBOE-2007-45 and should be submitted on or before June 12, 2007.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
\13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
J. Lynn Taylor, Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-9807 Filed 5-21-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P
