[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 250 (Monday, December 31, 2012)] [Notices] [Pages 77166-77167] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2012-31260] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Extending the Bond Trading License and the Bond Liquidity Provider Pilot Program December 21, 2012. 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 December 18, 2012, the New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE'' or the ``Exchange'') 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 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to extend the bond trading license and the Bond Liquidity Provider pilot program, which is currently scheduled to expire on January 19, 2013, until the earlier of the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') to make such pilot permanent or January 19, 2014. 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 Statutory Basis for, Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to extend the bond trading license and the Bond Liquidity Provider (``BLP'') pilot program, which is currently scheduled to expire on January 19, 2013, until the earlier of the Commission's approval to make such pilot permanent or January 19, 2014. On January 19, 2011, NYSE established a twelve-month pilot program to (1) adopt new Rule 87 to create a bond trading license for member organizations that desire to trade only debt securities on the NYSE, and (2) adopt new Rule 88 to establish BLPs, a new class of debt market participants.\3\ The purpose of pilot [[Page 77167]] program is to encourage market participants to bring additional liquidity to the Exchange's bond marketplace by providing incentives for quoting and adding liquidity to the market and to offer investors an alternative to over-the-counter trading for debt securities. Under Rule 87, a member organization that chooses to trade only bonds, or a new member organization that desires to trade only bonds, may apply for a bond trading license, which is available to any approved NYSE member organization. Under Rule 88, the Exchange provides incentives for quoting and adding liquidity to the bond market in the form of rebates to BLPs that provide liquidity to the Exchange's bond market. The Exchange believes that the rebates encourage the additional utilization of, and interaction with, the NYSE; improve price discovery and liquidity; and encourage competitive quotes and price improvement opportunities. These incentives encourage BLPs to make more liquid and competitive markets. In return, BLPs must meet certain qualification and quoting obligations under the Rule. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63736 (Jan. 19, 2011), 76 FR 4959 (Jan. 27, 2011) (SR-NYSE-2010-74) (Order approving). See also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63444 (Dec. 6, 2010), 75 FR 77024 (Dec. 10, 2011) (SR-NYSE-2010-74). The pilot program was extended and is currently schedule to expire on January 19, 2013. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65995 (December 16, 2011), 76 FR 79726 (December 22, 2011) (SR-NYSE-2011-63). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Through this filing, the Exchange seeks to extend the current operation of the pilot program until January 19, 2014. The Exchange believes that the program has added meaningful liquidity to the marketplace and improved both NYSE and overall market quality. The Exchange will continue to monitor the efficacy of the program during the proposed extended pilot period. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act''),\4\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\5\ in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, 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. The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with these principles in that it seeks to extend a pilot rule that expands the number of member organizations that can trade debt securities on the NYSE and creates incentives for BLPs to provide additional liquidity to the bond market, thereby promoting competition and a free and open market. The Exchange believes that investors benefit from increased transparency, competition, and liquidity in its bond marketplace. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest, does not impose any significant burden on competition, and, by its terms, does not 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 \6\ and Rule 19b- 4(f)(6) thereunder.\7\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). \7\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the Exchange's 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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-NYSE-2012-74 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. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2012-74. 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 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such 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-NYSE-2012-74 and should be submitted on or before January 22, 2013. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.\8\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \8\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin M. O'Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2012-31260 Filed 12-28-12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011-01-P