[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 197 (Thursday, October 11, 2012)] [Notices] [Pages 61795-61797] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2012-24970] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-67987; File No. SR-NYSEARCA-2012-110] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the NYSE Arca Equities Schedule of Fees and Charges for Exchange Services To Amend the Fees Charged for Routing Orders to the New York Stock Exchange LLC October 4, 2012. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby given that, on September 28, 2012, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``NYSE Arca'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. 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\ 15 U.S.C. 78a. \3\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 61796]] I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend the NYSE Arca Equities Schedule of Fees and Charges for Exchange Services (``Fee Schedule'') to modify the fees that it charges for routing orders to the New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE''). The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at www.nyse.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 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 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to amend the Fee Schedule to modify the fees that it charges for routing orders to the NYSE. The Exchange proposes to implement the fee changes on October 1, 2012.\4\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ The Exchange filed a separate fee filing, which the Exchange proposes to implement on October 1, 2012. See SR-NYSEArca-2012-104 (Sept. 24, 2012). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The NYSE has proposed modifications to its transaction fee structures, including changes to the rates for taking liquidity, to become effective on October 1, 2012.\5\ The Exchange's current fees for routing orders in securities with a per share price of $1.00 or more to the NYSE are closely related to the NYSE's fees for taking liquidity in such securities, and the Exchange is proposing an adjustment to its routing fees to maintain the existing relationship to the new fees in place at the NYSE. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ See SR-NYSE-2012-50 (Sept. 26, 2012) (the ``NYSE Fee Filing''). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Currently, the NYSE charges a transaction fee for certain transactions in securities with a per share price of $1.00 or more based on the characteristics of the transaction, including order type.\6\ Among other changes, the NYSE Fee Filing proposed to increase the charge for transactions that do not have a specified per share charge based on their characteristics (``all other'' transactions). The NYSE Fee Filing proposed to increase the per share charge for all other non-floor broker transactions (i.e., when taking liquidity from the Exchange) from $0.0023 to $0.0025 per transaction. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ For example, the NYSE charges $0.0005 per share (subject to a monthly cap) for at the opening or at the opening only orders, $0.0055 per share per transaction for all market at-the-close (``MOC'') and limit at-the-close (``LOC'') orders from any member organization executing an average daily volume of MOC/LOC activity on the NYSE in that month of at least 14 million shares, and $0.0095 per share per transaction for all other MOC and LOC orders. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Currently, for NYSE Arca Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Step Up Tier 1, and Step Up Tier 2 customers, the fee for routing orders in Tape A securities to the NYSE outside the book is equal to the NYSE fee of $0.0023 per share for all other non-floor broker transactions in securities with a per share price of $1.00 or more, and the fee for routing such orders to the NYSE for non-tier (i.e., Basic Rate) customers is $0.0025 per share.\7\ Consequently, the Exchange is proposing to increase each of those fees by $0.0002 to $0.0025 per share and $0.0027 per share, respectively, consistent with the $0.0002 increase in the NYSE fee for all other non-floor broker transactions. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ The other tiers in the Fee Schedule (e.g., the Tape B and C Step Up Tiers, Investor Tiers, Cross-Asset Tier and Retail Order Tier) do not specify a fee for routing orders in Tape A securities to the NYSE outside the book. However, such tiers provide that if a fee (or credit) is not included in the tier, the relevant tiered or Basic Rate applies based on a firm's qualifying levels. Accordingly, for orders in Tape A securities routed to the NYSE outside the book, ETP Holders and Market Makers that qualify for another tier would default to the Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Step Up Tier 1, Step Up Tier 2 or Basic Rate that applied to them based on their qualifying levels. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition, the Exchange currently charges $0.0021 per share for Primary Sweep Orders \8\ in Tape A securities that are routed outside the book to the NYSE that remove liquidity from the NYSE.\9\ In order to maintain the existing relationship to the other Exchange routing fees that are being adjusted upward, the Exchange is also proposing to increase this fee by $0.0002, to $0.0023 per share. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \8\ A Primary Sweep Order is a Primary Only (``PO'') Order (i.e., a market or limit order that is to be routed to the primary market) that first sweeps the NYSE Arca book. See NYSE Arca Equities Rules 7.31(x) and (kk). \9\ This charge is included in the provisions for Tier 1, Tier 2, and the Basic Rate. The other tiers in the Fee Schedule do not specify a fee for Primary Sweep Orders in Tape A securities that are routed outside the book to the NYSE that remove liquidity from the NYSE. Accordingly, for such orders ETP Holders and Market Makers that qualify for another tier would default to the Tier 1, Tier 2 or Basic Rate that applied to them based on their qualifying levels. See note 7, supra. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finally, for Primary Only Plus (``PO+'') orders,\10\ the current Exchange fee for orders routed to the NYSE that remove liquidity from the NYSE is $0.0023 per share, which is equal to the current NYSE fee for all other non-floor broker transactions in securities with a per share price of $1.00 or more.\11\ Consequently, the Exchange is proposing to increase its fees for routing PO+ orders to the NYSE that remove liquidity by the same amount ($0.0002) as the increase in the corresponding NYSE fees. The proposed new fee for PO+ orders routed to the NYSE that remove liquidity is $0.0025 per share. This change would maintain the current relationship with the NYSE rates. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \10\ A PO+ Order is a PO Order that is entered for participation in the primary market, other than for participation in the primary market opening or primary market re-opening. See NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.31(x)(3). \11\ This charge is included in the provisions for Tier 1, Tier 2, and the Basic Rate. The other tiers in the Fee Schedule do not specify a fee for PO+ orders routed outside the book to the NYSE that remove liquidity. Accordingly, for such orders ETP Holders and Market Makers that qualify for another tier would default to the Tier 1, Tier 2 or Basic Rate that applied to them based on their qualifying levels. See note 7, supra. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act''),\12\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,\13\ in particular, because it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members, issuers and other persons using its facilities and does not unfairly discriminate between customers, issuers, brokers or dealers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Exchange believes that the proposed changes are reasonable because the Exchange's fees for routing orders to the NYSE are closely related to the NYSE's fees for its members for taking liquidity, and the fee increases are consistent with the changes proposed by the NYSE to increase its fees for taking liquidity. The proposed changes will result in maintaining the existing relationship between the two sets of fees. In addition, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly discriminatory because it would result in an increase in the per share fee for orders, Primary Sweep Orders, and PO+ Orders routed to the NYSE, thereby aligning the rate that the [[Page 61797]] Exchange charges to ETP Holders with the rate that the Exchange is charged by the NYSE. Accordingly, the Exchange is proposing this increase so that the rate it charges to ETP Holders reflects the rate that the Exchange is charged by the NYSE. In addition, the proposed changes are equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because the fee increases apply uniformly across pricing tiers and all similarly situated ETP Holders would be subject to the same fee structure. The Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually review, and consider adjusting, its fees and credits to remain competitive with other exchanges. For the reasons described above, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change reflects this competitive environment. 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. C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change is effective upon filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) \14\ of the Act and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 \15\ thereunder, because it establishes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the NYSE Arca. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). \15\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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. 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 CommentsUse 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-NYSEArca-2012-110 on the subject line. Paper Comments Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2012-110. 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 a.m. and 3 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-NYSEArca-2012-110 and should be submitted on or before November 1, 2012. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.\16\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin M. O'Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2012-24970 Filed 10-10-12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011-01-P